§ 925(c) Program Status Tracker

We update this page whenever the Department of Justice acts. Last verified: August 19, 2026.

Question	Status
Can I file an application today?	Not yet. The online portal has not opened. DOJ says an initial application will be available “soon after the final rule is released.”
Where is the rule?	Proposed rule published July 22, 2025 (90 Fed. Reg. 34394). Public comments closed October 20, 2025 (3,427 comments). Final rule pending.
Is DOJ actually granting relief?	Yes — in batches, ahead of the final rule. Most recently, 22 grants signed February 6, 2026 and published in the Federal Register February 23, 2026.
What will it cost to file?	The proposed federal filing fee is $20 (waivable for indigent applicants).
How many people will apply?	DOJ's own estimate: roughly 1,000,000 applications in the first year.
What should I do now?	Assemble your record. Certified copies of decades-old court files take weeks; character affidavits take thought. Everything can be ready before the portal opens. Start with the free checklist.

Timeline of the revival

• Feb 7, 2025 — Executive Order 14206 directs a review of Second Amendment policies
• Mar 2025 — DOJ interim rule moves § 925(c) authority from ATF to the Department; first grants follow that spring
• Jul 22, 2025 — Proposed rule published; application framework, criteria, and $20 fee proposed
• Oct 20, 2025 — Comment period closes with 3,427 comments
• Feb 2026 — 22 additional grants of relief published
• Today — Final rule pending; portal not yet open