Bondi Reverses ATF Ban, Restores Gun Rights for First Time in Decades

Attorney General Pam Bondi has issued a rule reversing a decades-long prohibition by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on restoring gun rights for individuals previously stripped of them, a decision linked to a 1992 amendment by Sen. Chuck Schumer. This new rule allows non-violent offenders to petition the Department of Justice for the restoration of their Second Amendment rights, a move that has been welcomed by pro-gun rights organizations like Gun Owners of America. Critics, including New Jersey's Attorney General Matt Platkin, have decried the rule as potentially dangerous, arguing it could enable gun access for violent criminals. Supporters believe it addresses an injustice and allows individuals who have reformed to reclaim their rights. The change is perceived as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to enhance Second Amendment protections. The rule is set to be published in the Federal Register and takes effect immediately upon publication.