Why a Felon in Possession of a Firearm conviction matters
A § 922(g)(1) prosecution means the applicant was accused of possessing a firearm while already prohibited. DOJ can consider that later firearm conduct when evaluating public safety, even if the underlying predicate felony was nonviolent.
How DOJ’s current restoration rule may treat the offense
Certain firearm- or ammunition-related criminal conduct is listed in DOJ’s 10-year presumptive category. Brandishing, discharging, or using a firearm in another felony can fall into an even more serious permanent category.
The restoration analysis should separately identify the original felony that caused the prohibition and the later § 922(g) conviction. The sequence matters because each conviction can affect timing and public-safety evaluation.
What records should be reviewed?
For a felony-based firearm disability, DOJ currently directs applicants to gather the charging document, judgment of conviction, and official proof of the date the final sentence requirement was completed. Depending on the case, the plea agreement, factual basis, presentence report, prior restoration applications, and state criminal-history records may also be required. See the complete Federal Restoration Required Documents Checklist →
State law can still change the answer
If the felon in possession of a firearm conviction was entered in state court, a pardon, set-aside, expungement, restoration of civil rights, or firearm-specific order may affect whether the conviction continues to count for federal firearm purposes. The legal effect of the actual order matters. Use the Gun Rights by State guides to identify the separate state layer.
What should you do next?
Start with the Eligibility Review if you are not sure which restoration path fits. If a federal § 925(c) application appears relevant, use the shorter federal restoration services. You can also read the September 2026 DOJ update and the main gun-rights restoration FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
A person convicted of felon in possession may be able to apply for federal firearm-rights restoration, but firearm-related criminal conduct can trigger a strong DOJ presumption and requires careful review of the actual facts.
Certain firearm- or ammunition-related criminal conduct is listed in DOJ’s 10-year presumptive category. Brandishing, discharging, or using a firearm in another felony can fall into an even more serious permanent category. The exact judgment and underlying conduct should be reviewed before relying on a general category.
Start with the charging document, judgment, plea or trial disposition, sentencing records, official proof of when the final sentence requirement was completed, and copies of any prior pardon or rights-restoration order. DOJ also currently requires state criminal-history records covering the applicable period.
Not necessarily. Probation, parole, supervised release, community service, restitution, fines, or other criminal sentence requirements can affect the final sentence-completion date.
Sometimes, particularly for state convictions, but federal law looks at the legal effect of the relief. A pardon, expungement, set-aside, or restoration of civil rights should be reviewed under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20) and current state law.
No. Filing an eligibility review, a FelonJustice intake, or an official DOJ application does not suspend a firearm prohibition. Relief must actually be effective under every applicable federal, state, and tribal rule.