DOJ to re-instate gun rights for non-violent felons

The Trump administration's Justice Department announced a new process for people with felony convictions to apply to have their gun rights restored. Attorney General Todd Blanche described it as "rigorous" and "commonsense." The policy reverses a previous approach.

25 across the spectrum. Choose a side on the bar to jump to it.

National story. 46 articles from 25 sources. Updated Aug 21, 2026.

How each side is putting it

Left

4 sources
Ran by 9 outlets across the spectrum· Philadelphia Inquirer, Bangor Daily News
Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Bangor Daily NewsLean Left· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

PBS NewsHourLean Left· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some people convicted of felonies

The New RepublicLeft· Aug 17, 2026

Trump Moves to Make It Easier for Convicted Felons to Get Guns

Center

15 sources
PA Home PageCenter· Aug 21, 2026

DOJ to re-instate gun rights for non-violent felons

Ran by 22 outlets· KXAN Austin, FOX 16 Little Rock, +20 more
KXAN AustinCenter· Aug 19, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

FOX 16 Little RockCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WOWK CharlestonCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WKRG MobileCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

KARK Little RockCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

FOX 8 ClevelandCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WGN ChicagoCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WSAV-TVCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Arklatex Home PageCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WCBD News 2Center· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

KHON 2 HonoluluCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WSPA Greenville-SpartanburgCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

ABC 27 HarrisburgCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Mycham Plain ValleyCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

KTSM 9 NewsCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

FOX 21 Colorado SpringsCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WWLP SpringfieldCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

MytwintiersCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

BRPROUD Baton RougeCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WHNTCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Phl17Center· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

The HillCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moves to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Ran by 9 outlets across the spectrum· WHEC Rochester, The Columbian, +6 more
WHEC RochesterCenter· Aug 18, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

The ColumbianCenter· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

Anchorage Daily NewsCenter· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

ABC 13 HoustonLean Left· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WKRG MobileCenter· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

MyarklamissCenter· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

WNYT AlbanyCenter· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

KOB 4Center· Aug 17, 2026

Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies

FOX8 WGHPCenter· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ moving to restore gun rights for some convicted felons

Arkansas Democrat-GazetteCenter· Aug 18, 2026

Justice Department opens path to restore gun rights

Right

6 sources
AmmoLand Shooting Sports NewsRight· Aug 18, 2026

DOJ Gun Rights Restoration Rule Is a Good Move—But Questions Remain

AmmoLand Shooting Sports NewsRight· Aug 17, 2026

DOJ Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration After 30-Year Shutdown

New York PostLean Right· Aug 17, 2026

DOJ finalizes firearm rule to have criminals’ gun rights reinstated

Ran by 2 outlets· The Daily Caller, BizPac Review
The Daily CallerRight· Aug 17, 2026

Trump DOJ Zaps Gun Rights Restoration For Felons Back To Life

BizPac ReviewRight· Aug 17, 2026

Trump DOJ zaps gun rights restoration for felons back to life

Bearing ArmsRight· Aug 17, 2026

DOJ Rolls Out New Process for Prohibited Persons to Have Their Gun Rights Restored