If you're federally prohibited from having guns, there's now a real federal path to try to get those rights back. It's called Federal Firearm Rights Restoration (FFRR), and it's run by the Department of Justice. Here's what it is, who can apply, how the process works, and where things stand right now, all straight from DOJ's own pages.
This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, talk to a qualified attorney.
What Is FFRR?
Under 18 U.S.C. 925(c), the Attorney General can restore federal firearm rights. For more than three decades that process was effectively unavailable to most people. On August 17, 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche finalized a rule and launched a new process for prohibited people to apply (DOJ press release; Federal Register rule).
Two big points from DOJ: restoration is neither automatic nor guaranteed, and it covers federal rights only. FFRR does not automatically restore state or tribal firearm rights (DOJ: Who Can Apply).
Who Can Apply?
DOJ says individuals federally prohibited under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) are eligible to apply. That includes the categories DOJ lists (source):
- 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 able to apply isn't the same as being approved. DOJ has a list of presumptive disqualifiers: certain convictions and current statuses where the application will be denied unless the applicant shows extraordinary circumstances. DOJ groups them into five types: current status, permanent, 10 years, 5 years, and reapplication. Corporations and other entities are handled separately, and DOJ says more information is coming.
Not sure what makes someone a prohibited person in the first place? See our guide to prohibited persons and firearm possession.
How the Application Works (Step by Step)
DOJ lays out the process in three stages (justice.gov/ffrr):
- Prepare. Check who can apply, review the presumptive disqualifiers, and gather the required documents. For a felony conviction, the rule lists items like the charging document, the judgment, and proof of when you finished your sentence (the rule).
- Apply online. The application (OMB Form #1123-0017) is online only; DOJ says there is no paper option (source). Once you start, you have 30 days to finish and submit, or you start over (FAQ).
- Fee. DOJ lists a non-refundable $30 fee, paid through Pay.gov after you submit. Waiver or reduction can be requested (source). DOJ's schedule says the fee "will begin" when the application reopens January 4, 2027 (source).
- Fingerprints. Electronic fingerprints are taken at a participating U.S. Post Office, but only after you submit the first part of the application and get a QR code by email (FAQ).
- Character references are also part of the application (source).
- Wait for a decision. Restoration specialists may contact you, and you get an email to retrieve your decision letter from the portal.
Where Things Stand: Portal Status and the 5,000 Cap
DOJ rolled FFRR out in stages (source):
- September 25, 2026: application opened to invited candidates.
- November 4, 2026: application opened to the public, for the first 5,000 candidates.
- January 4, 2027: application opens to the public again, for 500 more candidates, and the application fee begins.
DOJ's application page, updated November 4, 2026, says: "We have reached our limit of 5,000 new applicants, so the application website is temporarily closed. We cannot accept any new applications at this time." It lists the reopening as January 2027 (source). If you already started an application, DOJ says you can still log in, finish, and submit it.
What Happens After a Decision
Per DOJ's final decision page, there are four outcomes:
- Grant: the FBI updates NICS, and you may be issued an RPIN to use when buying a firearm. Your name and the grant date are published in the Federal Register. State prohibitions aren't removed.
- Denial: DOJ says you may seek judicial review in the U.S. district court where you live, and can usually reapply after a waiting period.
- Indeterminate: not enough information to decide; you can start the process again with more information.
- No action: the application was closed without a decision (for example, withdrawn or no response to inquiries); you can start again.
What This Means for Gun Owners and FFLs
Bottom line: FFRR is a federal, case-by-case process, it's capped for now, and it doesn't touch state law. Federal firearm rights are part of the picture for anyone thinking about an FFL, too. Our FFL requirements guide covers who can qualify, and the Get Your FFL course walks through the whole licensing process. For the latest official details, check justice.gov/ffrr directly.
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