Federal Gun Rights Restoration Is Back. Here's What Michigan CPL Holders Need to Know.
For the first time in over 30 years, the federal government has reopened a formal process for people with felony convictions to restore their firearm rights. The rule takes effect September 21, 2026 — less than three weeks away — and it's already generating a lot of questions.
If you hold a Michigan CPL and someone in your life is asking about this, or if you want to understand what it does and doesn't change for Michigan residents, here's a clear breakdown.
What Changed — and Why It Was Dormant for 30 Years
Federal law has long contained a provision — 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) — that allows eligible individuals to petition the government to restore their federal firearm rights after a conviction. The problem: Congress has blocked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from spending any money to process those applications since 1992. The program existed on paper. In practice, it was dead.
The DOJ's new rule changes the administrator. Instead of the ATF, applications will now be processed by the Office of the Pardon Attorney. That sidesteps the congressional funding restriction entirely, and it's why this is happening now.
The final rule was published August 17, 2026. It takes effect September 21.
Who Qualifies
Not everyone with a felony conviction is eligible. The rule creates three tiers:
Nonviolent felons — 5-year waiting period
If your conviction is for a nonviolent felony, you may be eligible to apply after a 5-year waiting period. That clock starts from the date you completed every component of your sentence — including prison, probation, and any restitution owed.
Drug trafficking and certain other offenses — 10-year waiting period
A longer 10-year disqualification period applies to drug trafficking convictions and firearms-related offenses.
Violent felons and sex offenders — presumptively ineligible
Individuals convicted of violent felonies or who are registered sex offenders are presumed ineligible. Restoration is possible only under 'extraordinary circumstances' — a very high bar.
Restoration is never automatic. Every application is reviewed individually, and the standard is whether granting relief would be contrary to public safety. Meeting the waiting period makes you eligible to apply, not guaranteed to receive it.
How to Apply
The application portal is at www.justice.gov/ffrr. The rollout is phased:
September 25, 2026: Portal opens to invited candidates for initial testing.
November 4, 2026: Portal opens to the general public — first 5,000 applicants, first-come, first-served.
January 4, 2027: An additional 500 applicants accepted as the full fee system comes online.
The application fee is $30, with hardship waivers available. During the initial public rollout (November 4 through early January), the fee is not charged.
You'll need to provide electronic fingerprints, certified court records, a complete history of your criminal record and residence, and three qualified character references. Once you start the online application, you have 30 days to complete and submit it.
The Michigan Reality: What Federal Restoration Does Not Do
This is the part that matters most for anyone in Michigan — and it's where a lot of people will get this wrong.
A federal restoration of firearm rights does not restore your eligibility for a Michigan CPL.
These are two separate legal questions governed by two separate bodies of law.
Under MCL 28.425b(7)(f), Michigan requires CPL applicants to have "never been convicted of a felony in this state or elsewhere." Michigan courts have interpreted that language strictly. Even if a person successfully restores their possession rights under Michigan law — through the state's own circuit court petition process under MCL 28.424 — the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that this does not restore CPL eligibility. Restored possession rights and CPL eligibility are not the same thing in Michigan.
A federal restoration under § 925(c) removes only federal disabilities. It does not override Michigan's independent CPL disqualification.
So what can a Michigan resident with a past felony conviction actually do?
The only established path to CPL eligibility in Michigan is to have the felony conviction expunged (set aside) under MCL 780.621. A successful expungement treats the conviction as if it never occurred for most legal purposes, allowing the applicant to truthfully state they have "never been convicted" of that felony on a CPL application.
Important caveat: even with a state expungement, a CPL can be denied under MCL 28.426 if the conviction still shows up in the federal NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). Clearing the federal record typically requires a court order of expungement to be submitted to federal authorities — a step that's easy to miss.
The Practical Takeaway for Michigan Residents
If someone is asking you about this rule as it relates to their CPL, here's the short version:
The federal rule matters for federal firearm rights — the ability to legally possess a firearm under federal law. That's real and significant for people who qualify.
It does not touch Michigan CPL eligibility. A federal restoration does not get someone a Michigan CPL.
Expungement is the path to CPL eligibility in Michigan — and even that comes with federal NICS record requirements that need to be addressed separately.
Anyone in this situation should consult a Michigan firearms attorney before applying for anything. The interaction between federal rights restoration, state expungement, and CPL law is genuinely complex, and the stakes are high.
The federal rule is a meaningful development for eligible individuals who want to restore their basic right to possess a firearm. For Michigan CPL holders and instructors, the most useful thing you can do is understand the distinction clearly — and help the people asking you about it understand it too.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations can change. Consult a licensed Michigan attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Sources: DOJ Final Rule (August 17, 2026), justice.gov/ffrr, MCL 28.425b, MCL 28.424, MCL 780.621, MCL 28.426, MCL 750.224f
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