For more than 30 years, Americans who lost their federal gun rights had no working path to get them back. That changes this week. The Department of Justice’s Federal Firearm Rights Restoration program opens to the public on November 4, 2026. A right restored is a right respected, so here’s what the program is, who can apply, and what it means for Pennsylvanians.
What it is
Under 18 U.S.C. 925(c), the Attorney General can restore federal firearm rights. The law has been on the books for decades, but DOJ itself says a functioning restoration program “has not been in place for over 30 years.” The Department is now bringing the process back through a program called Federal Firearm Rights Restoration (FFRR).
The timeline
DOJ is launching FFRR in stages:
- September 25, 2026: The application opened to invited candidates.
- November 4, 2026: The application opens to the public for the first 5,000 candidates, on a first come, first served basis.
- January 4, 2027: The application opens to 500 more candidates, and the $30 application fee begins.
DOJ says the 500-applicant phase is meant to test its online payment portal, and that it will open access to the public at large once it’s confident its processes work. DOJ also notes there may be other costs along the way, such as fingerprinting or criminal records fees, which can vary by location. DOJ says applicants can ask for the fee to be waived or reduced because of indigency.
One caution: as of today, DOJ’s site still lists the online application as “Coming soon.” Check the DOJ FFRR page for the latest before you plan around a specific date.
Who can apply
Individuals who are federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) for any of these reasons are eligible to apply:
- Felons (922(g)(1))
- Fugitives (922(g)(2))
- Unlawful drug users (922(g)(3))
- Certain mental health statuses (922(g)(4))
- Certain aliens (922(g)(5))
- Dishonorable discharge (922(g)(6))
- Citizenship renunciants (922(g)(7))
- Domestic violence court order (922(g)(8))
- Domestic violence misdemeanants (922(g)(9))
Being eligible to apply isn’t the same as being approved. DOJ’s rule lists “presumptive disqualifiers,” statuses and past conduct that count against an applicant, and only “extraordinary circumstances” can overcome one. Some are permanent and some are time-limited (5 or 10 years). DOJ will also weigh whether restoring rights would pose a danger to public safety or be contrary to the public interest.
If you’re prohibited because of a mental health finding, DOJ asks you to use other remedies first, such as a qualifying state relief program, before applying. DOJ also notes that a full presidential pardon already removes the firearm disability from a federal conviction, though you may still need to apply if you have a separate prohibition. Businesses and other entities will be handled through a separate process that DOJ hasn’t released yet.
How it works
The program is run by DOJ’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, not ATF. DOJ says ATF used to handle restoration, but the new rule ends that role, and all applications go through the Pardon Attorney.
- Gather your documents first. Once you start the online application, you have 30 days to finish and submit it. If you miss that window, you start over. DOJ posts a list of required documents on its site.
- Keep your link and PIN safe. DOJ says it can’t currently recover a lost link and PIN, so losing them may mean starting again.
- Fingerprints come after the first step. After you submit the first part of the application, you’ll get a QR code by email. You then get fingerprinted at a participating U.S. Post Office.
- Character references are part of the application.
- Wait for a decision. Restoration specialists may contact you with questions before a final decision.
If relief is granted, the law requires DOJ to publish the person’s name in the Federal Register. The Pardon Attorney will also keep records of everyone granted relief and share them with the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
If you’re denied, how long you wait to reapply depends on the reason. A permanent disqualifier stays in place, while a time-limited one means waiting until it expires.
What it means for Pennsylvania readers
Here’s the part that matters most: FFRR lifts only the federal prohibition. DOJ says plainly that the program “does not automatically restore state or tribal firearm rights.” Pennsylvania has its own prohibitions, for example 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105, and those are a separate matter that a federal grant doesn’t resolve.
Before you try to buy a firearm, talk to a Pennsylvania firearms attorney about where you stand under both federal and state law. The Pardon Attorney says it can’t help with gun purchases and has no role in background check decisions, which are made when dealers or state officials run a check through NICS.
Where to apply
To apply or check the program’s status, go straight to the source: justice.gov/ffrr.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice: Federal Firearm Rights Restoration
- DOJ: Who Can Apply for Federal Firearm Rights Restoration
- DOJ: Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Frequently Asked Questions
Status as of November 3, 2026. This post is for general information only and isn’t legal advice.