People barred under federal firearms law will have a new way to seek relief. DOJ opens its first public phase to 5,000 applicants on Nov. 4, 2026; a $30 fee begins Jan. 4, 2027. Approval is not automatic and does not remove California prohibitions.
Sources checked September 24, 2026. Educational information only, not legal advice.
| What changed | A federal administrative process for seeking relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). |
| Effective | Rule: September 21, 2026. First public application phase: November 4, 2026. |
| Applies to | People seeking relief from federal firearms prohibitions, subject to eligibility review and presumptive disqualifications. |
| Statutory basis | 18 U.S.C. § 925(c); 28 C.F.R. Part 107. |
What happened
DOJ announced its final rule on August 17, 2026. The published Federal Register rule took effect September 21, 2026. It establishes criteria for individual applications to restore federal firearms rights after the administrative process had been largely unavailable for more than three decades. The 1992 date concerns restrictions on ATF funding for applications, not the creation of the underlying statute.
Applications are administered through the Office of the Pardon Attorney. DOJ describes relief as “neither automatic nor guaranteed.” Review considers the circumstances behind the prohibition, the applicant’s subsequent conduct, public safety and the public interest. Some convictions and current statuses carry presumptions against relief; an application alone does not restore rights.
When applications open
The rule’s effective date and the online application rollout are different. DOJ’s current program page gives these stages:
- September 25, 2026: invited candidates.
- November 4, 2026: the first public phase, capped at 5,000 candidates.
- January 4, 2027: 500 more candidates and the start of the $30 application fee.
These are limited rollout phases, not an unlimited opening on January 4. Check the DOJ program page for the current application instructions and availability.
What it means for Californians
Californians subject to a federal firearms prohibition may have a path to seek federal relief, depending on their circumstances. A successful application does not remove an independent California firearms prohibition. It also does not change California’s purchase, transfer or handgun-roster requirements.
The rule covers federal disabilities more broadly than only felony convictions or mental-health prohibitions. Eligibility and the likelihood of relief depend on the particular grounds and the rule’s presumptions. For mental-health-related prohibitions, the rule also addresses available state or federal relief processes. Review the official eligibility guidance before applying; do not treat a pending application as permission to possess or acquire a firearm.
Official sources
Read the primary documents and current program instructions:
- DOJ Federal Firearm Rights Restoration program — primary source for rollout dates and the fee.
- DOJ announcement, August 17, 2026 — program, review standard and federal-only scope.
- Published final rule, August 20, 2026 — effective date, Part 107 and detailed criteria.
- DOJ rule guide — plain-language eligibility and mental-health relief provisions.
Discuss
Update log
- September 24, 2026: Corrected the initial headline and draft to distinguish the November public opening from the January fee phase, clarify eligibility and cite Part 107. Confirmed the rollout directly with DOJ; retained the published final rule as supporting evidence.
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