Fri Jul 18 22:41:23 UTC 2025: ## Bondi Seeks Control Over Gun Rights Restoration, Sparks Controversy

**Washington, D.C.** – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated a process to shift the power of restoring gun rights to individuals with criminal convictions from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) directly to her office. The move, announced Friday, is being framed by the Department of Justice as a way to provide a path for eligible citizens to regain their Second Amendment rights while ensuring firearms remain out of the hands of dangerous criminals.

Bondi argues that individuals with past convictions have been unfairly “disenfranchised” from their right to bear arms, regardless of whether they pose a current threat. The Justice Department emphasized that “violent felons, registered sex offenders, and illegal aliens” would be “presumptively ineligible” for gun rights restoration.

The proposed change comes as the Trump administration seeks to fulfill campaign promises to gun rights groups, who view restrictions on firearm ownership as unconstitutional. President Trump ordered a review of government gun policies earlier this year.

However, the move is facing strong opposition from gun control advocates. Groups like Brady have expressed concerns about the administration’s ability to adequately assess public safety risks and worry that Bondi’s office would be inadequately equipped to handle the caseload. They are particularly wary of a “unilateral system” that could restore gun rights to individuals who pose a danger to the public.

Brady President Kris Brown criticized the plan, citing the restoration of gun rights to individuals pardoned for their role in the January 6th Capitol attack as raising concerns about the administration’s discretionary judgment.

The proposed rule has been submitted to the Federal Register and is undergoing a public comment period before potential adoption. The Justice Department is also developing an online platform to streamline the application process for individuals seeking to have their gun rights restored.

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