Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about the revived federal restoration program, updated August 20, 2026 — the day the final rule published.
When can I file my application?
The intake is phased, per DOJ: September 25 for invited candidates; November 4, the first public window, capped at 5,000 applications nationwide; January 4, 2027, 500 more (when the $30 fee begins). The online form (OMB No. 1123-0017) is listed as coming soon. We prepare applications now so clients can file the moment their window opens.
I got a state pardon or certificate of relief. Don't I already have my gun rights back?
Often not. State instruments frequently leave the federal prohibition in place — that is exactly the gap § 925(c) relief fills. Whether your particular document restored your rights is a technical question we screen in every case review.
What does it cost?
A free initial case review; a $500 flat-fee eligibility review and records assessment (credited toward a full package); $2,500 for a standard application package; $4,000 for complex, multi-jurisdiction cases. The government's filing fee is $30, with waivers available.
Can you guarantee my rights will be restored?
No — and no honest lawyer can. Relief is discretionary with the Department of Justice. What we control is whether your application is complete, well-documented, honestly argued, and ready to file early.
How long will it take?
Unknown. DOJ projects roughly one million applications in the first year, so backlogs are likely. Preparation before the portal opens is the one timing factor you control.
Who is unlikely to qualify?
Under the final rule: violent-crime convictions, felony hate crimes, felony firearms offenses, drug distribution within 10 years, current sex-offender registrants, misdemeanor domestic violence within 10 years and aggravated domestic-violence offenses, recent alcohol-related offenses, felony sentences completed within the last 5 years, anyone under supervision, and anyone subject to another current prohibitor — all face presumptive denial absent extraordinary circumstances. We screen honestly and will tell you if you should not apply yet.
Can I just do it myself?
Maybe — the government form is designed to be usable, and the filing fee is $30. The hard part is the record: certified court documents, criminal histories from every place you have lived in the last 25 years, fingerprints, and three character references who meet DOJ's requirements. Read our honest comparison before deciding.
Does a § 925(c) grant fix Kentucky law too?
For most people, yes as to the felon-in-possession statute: KRS 527.040 contains an express exception for persons granted relief under the Federal Gun Control Act.
Is my consultation confidential?
Consultations are confidential. Note that submitting the website form or calling does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship — that begins with a signed engagement letter.
How will fingerprinting work?
For online applicants, DOJ says that after you submit the first part of the e-application you receive a QR code by email and can be fingerprinted at a participating U.S. Post Office. The paper route accepts two FD-258 fingerprint cards or an equivalent electronic scan; Kentucky live-scan vendors and many sheriffs' offices can print FD-258 cards.
How long do I have to finish the application once I start it?
Thirty days, per DOJ's FAQ. Once you begin the online application you have 30 days to complete and submit it — and DOJ says a lost application link or PIN cannot be recovered, so you would start over. That is why we prepare a client's entire document package before anyone opens the portal.
What happens if my application is denied?
It depends on the reason, and it can cost you years. Per DOJ: a permanent presumption means permanent disqualification; a 5- or 10-year presumption means waiting until it expires; a status-based denial lasts until the status changes; and other denials add a fresh five-year presumption against you. Getting the application right the first time matters more than filing it fast.
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