Federal Firearm Rights Restoration:
Understand the process. Prepare your next step.

It is a Department of Justice process under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) for seeking relief from federal firearm disabilities. DOJ evaluates whether an applicant is unlikely to act dangerously and whether relief would be consistent with the public interest. Filing an application does not restore rights.

As of October 4, 2026, DOJ says public applications will open November 4, 2026, initially for 5,000 candidates. An invitation-only phase began September 25. DOJ lists another 500 public candidates beginning January 4, 2027. Availability and dates should be checked directly with DOJ before applying.

The process is for individuals with federal firearm disabilities under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). A qualifying prohibition can arise from a conviction or another covered status. Being permitted to submit an application is different from being a strong candidate for relief. Your complete history matters. Our free screening helps our team identify what needs individual review.

No single answer fits every felony. The rule distinguishes different conduct, sentence histories, and presumptive disqualifiers. Some categories carry a permanent presumption against relief unless extraordinary circumstances overcome it; others involve time-based presumptions. The underlying facts matter, not just the offense title.

There is no universal waiting period that makes everyone eligible. The rule includes five-year, ten-year, permanent, current-status, and reapplication presumptions. The applicable period may depend on conviction dates and service of any part of a sentence. Passing a time period does not guarantee approval.

Serving any part of a sentence creates a presumption against relief, absent extraordinary circumstances. DOJ’s definition of sentence extends beyond incarceration and can include supervision and unsatisfied monetary, treatment, community-service, or other requirements. Gather documentation showing exactly what remains outstanding.

These require careful analysis. Felony domestic-violence conduct, misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, and qualifying current restraining orders are treated differently. Special presumptions and timing rules can apply. Do not assume a misdemeanor is harmless or that expiration of an order resolves every prohibition.

Potentially, but special requirements apply. Depending on the source of the prohibition, an available state or agency relief program may need to be pursued. DOJ may require relevant orders and a current certification from a licensed mental-health professional. Receiving ordinary mental-health treatment alone is not the same as a qualifying federal adjudication or commitment.

Document your efforts to obtain them. DOJ provides a process for records unavailable for reasons beyond your control, involving a sworn statement describing the missing records, their contents as known, and your efforts to obtain them. Do not silently omit an incident or substitute guesses for verified facts.

Yes. DOJ requires three qualified references who have known you for at least three years, are not related by blood or marriage, and are not themselves federally prohibited. They must be able to make the required truthful affirmations. Ask willing references in advance and confirm their email addresses.

Follow the instructions after submitting the first part of the application. DOJ currently directs applicants to participating USPS locations for electronic fingerprints, using the QR code sent through the application process. Not every post office offers this service. Do not assume fingerprints taken elsewhere will satisfy the requirement.

DOJ’s FAQ says an electronic application must be completed and submitted within 30 days after it is started, or you must begin again. Let us organize the required records and help you prepare your references first. Later requests for information have their own deadlines, so monitor your email and portal instructions closely.

There is no reliable guaranteed timeline for an individual case. Completeness, the facts, follow-up requests, and program capacity can affect processing. Avoid anyone promising a particular approval date or claiming a guaranteed place in a limited public application window.

DOJ provides an application process individuals can use. An attorney can help identify the applicable prohibitions, assess presumptions, organize records, and present a complete and accurate request.

Not automatically. DOJ relief addresses federal disabilities within the scope of its decision. Independent state or tribal restrictions may remain. You need an assessment of all applicable laws before acquiring, possessing, receiving, or transporting firearms or ammunition after a grant.

Those events can matter, but their effect depends on the jurisdiction, type of relief, remaining restrictions, and any other prohibitions. DOJ requires disclosure of convictions even when later expunged, pardoned, or set aside. Obtain the actual order rather than relying only on the label used to describe it.

No. An inaccurate record or mistaken identity can require a record challenge or correction rather than discretionary restoration. A UPIN is not a grant of firearm rights. First determine whether the denial reflects an actual legal prohibition, incorrect information, or an unresolved identification issue. Dustin Galmor has helped clients correct FBI records and resolve erroneous denials.

A grant triggers the next steps described in the decision and DOJ’s NICS update process; names of successful applicants and grant dates are published. A denial may be subject to federal district-court review, and reapplication rules vary. An indeterminate or administratively closed application is different from a grant. Read the actual decision before taking action.

A denial can trigger a five-year presumption against granting a new application under 28 C.F.R. § 107.70. This is one reason to prepare the first application carefully. It is not a blanket five-year rule for every denial: denials based on time-limited or current-status disqualifiers, or failure to pursue an available mental-health relief program, are treated differently. A denial based on a permanent disqualifier carries an ongoing presumption. Extraordinary circumstances may overcome a presumption. We review the reason for denial before advising when to reapply.

The underlying felony can make the difference. Under 28 C.F.R. § 107.50(b)(1)(iv), covered firearm conduct generally falls within a ten-year presumption. But a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) has an exception when the underlying conviction would not itself trigger the rule’s permanent or ten-year presumptions; the five-year rule for other felonies may then apply. A permanent disqualifier can still control the outcome. These periods consider conviction and service of any part of the sentence, not just the date of arrest. For a state felon-in-possession conviction, we examine the precise statute and conduct rather than assuming the federal exception applies automatically. These are presumptions against relief, subject to extraordinary circumstances—not automatic restoration dates.

Use an approximate date or select “Not sure” where available. If you don’t know when every part of a sentence was completed, leave the completion date blank and select the appropriate status. Our team will identify what needs verification.

Yes. Choose “Add another conviction” for each additional entry. Include convictions from other states or countries as well. Each record needs its own review.

No. Begin the free screening with what you know. When you hire us for your restoration application, we obtain and organize the required records and supporting materials. We will let you know what information or authorizations we need from you.

No. Submitting the screening requests a review of your information. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any representation must be separately agreed upon with the firm.

It identifies answers that may need closer review. “Attorney review needed” and “Current issue identified” are not final denials. “Ready for attorney review” is not an approval or permission to possess a firearm.

Yes. Dustin Galmor is a Texas attorney based in Beaumont and helps clients across Texas, including Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Southeast Texas. Clients in other states can also get help with their federal DOJ restoration application. For clients outside Texas, representation is limited to the federal DOJ restoration process; state-law matters may require counsel licensed in the relevant state.

You will see a receipt after a successful submission. Our team reviews your information and contacts you at the phone number or email address you provided. For a time-sensitive question, call (409) 800-6197.