Federal Firearm Rights Restoration in 2026: What Michigan Residents Must Know

The return of the federal firearm-rights restoration process creates a possible pathway for people who have lived under a federal firearm disability for years. But a Michigan conviction can involve two different systems: the federal restriction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and independent state restrictions under Michigan law. Understanding which law prohibits you is the first—and perhaps most important—step.

What is federal firearm restoration under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c)?

Section 925(c) authorizes the Attorney General to grant certain people relief from disabilities imposed by federal firearm law. The review is individualized. DOJ considers the applicant’s history and circumstances, public safety, and whether restoring federal rights would be contrary to the public interest. The final rule supplies procedures and presumptive disqualifiers in 28 C.F.R. Part 107 (91 Fed. Reg. 54054).

For decades, a functioning application process under this statute was unavailable. The 2026 program is a significant change, but the law does not promise approval to anyone merely because they completed a prison term, probation, or parole. A submitted application is not an authorization to own, carry, receive, or purchase firearms or ammunition. Only a legally effective decision and an independent check of all remaining prohibitions can establish what is permitted.

When did the 2026 federal firearm application open?

These dates reflect the Department’s published rollout plan, not confirmation that an application place is still open when you read this page. The program is being introduced in stages. Check justice.gov/ffrr for current access, remaining capacity and any revised instructions. Do not pay an unofficial website that claims it can submit a government application without checking exactly what service it provides.

Who can seek restoration—and who may be denied?

The first question is whether a particular federal disability applies. Examples can include a felony conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under § 922(g)(9), or another prohibiting condition. Each category has different legal issues. A Michigan misdemeanor can produce a federal prohibition even when it is not labeled a felony.

The new DOJ process includes statutory and regulatory eligibility criteria and presumptions against granting relief for certain offenses, conduct, recency, or present statuses. A presumption is not necessarily identical to an absolute statutory bar; the precise regulatory language and the applicant’s facts matter. It is not responsible to publish a universal “approval rate” by conviction type.

A person with a prior Michigan conviction should also check whether an expungement, pardon or other state-law relief already changes the way federal law treats that conviction. Under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20), the effect of certain state conviction relief is highly dependent on its terms and on whether firearm rights remain restricted. Never assume a set-aside alone resolves every federal question.

What documents and preparation does the federal application involve?

DOJ describes an electronic application through the Office of the Pardon Attorney, with supporting records and additional steps. Before beginning, collect the documents that are relevant to your individual history. This helps avoid missing the DOJ’s application deadline.

1. Identify the prohibitor. Determine whether your issue arises from a federal conviction, Michigan conviction, qualifying misdemeanor domestic violence or another federal category. Identify any independent Michigan restrictions as well.
2. Gather official records. This can include charging documents, final judgments, plea documents, criminal-history records, proof of final sentence completion and records of any prior pardons, set-asides or restoration requests.
3. Prepare character references. DOJ’s current application process calls for qualifying character references. Confirm the eligibility rules for those references before listing them.
4. Follow the fingerprint sequence. According to DOJ’s FAQ, applicants must submit the initial part of the federal e-application and receive a QR code before obtaining the required electronic fingerprints at a participating USPS location.
5. Meet the filing window. DOJ states an application must be completed within 30 days after initiation, or the applicant may need to restart it. Do not initiate before necessary records are ready.
6. Wait for a written decision. Filing does not lift any current prohibition. Read the decision carefully and check for state restrictions that remain.

DOJ explains the process in its official application FAQ, including its current fingerprint rules and time limit.

Does federal firearm-rights restoration also restore Michigan firearm rights?

No—not by itself. This is the central issue for Michigan applicants. DOJ’s 2026 regulation explicitly states that § 925(c) relief removes only the specified federal disability. It does not override an independent Michigan prohibition. Michigan’s MCL 750.224f regulates firearm possession by certain persons with prior convictions, including specified misdemeanor domestic-violence convictions. A Michigan firearm-rights review must separately evaluate that law and any other relevant state restrictions.

A Michigan concealed pistol license is also a distinct question. Even if a person is no longer prohibited from possessing a firearm, CPL standards under MCL 28.425b may impose separate requirements. Federal § 925(c) relief is not a Michigan CPL.

What if a Michigan conviction has already been expunged?

A state set-aside under Michigan’s expungement law may change how a conviction is treated for many purposes, but its effect on federal firearms law must be examined under federal definitions and the precise terms of the relief. Some convictions may remain relevant to state or federal prohibitions despite being nonpublic for ordinary background-check purposes. Obtain copies of the order and have the interaction of state and federal law reviewed.

What if my rights were restored automatically under Michigan law?

Automatic restoration under a state statute, if applicable, should not be confused with a federal determination or a license to carry. A person may face a federal disability that does not disappear merely because a Michigan waiting period has elapsed. Conversely, a § 925(c) decision does not eliminate all state conditions. The exact history, conviction location, rights-restoration order and current law must be evaluated together.

Can a Michigan pardon or civil-rights lawsuit be another path?

For Michigan state convictions, a set-aside may be the first route to check. Where a statute excludes a conviction or a petition cannot succeed, the Governor’s pardon process is an extraordinary and discretionary alternative. A pardon is not automatic and is not the same as a § 925(c) application. For a federal conviction, a presidential pardon is a separate clemency pathway with different procedures.

A civil-rights or declaratory-relief lawsuit may be relevant where an agency unlawfully continues to enforce a disability, a restoration order is ignored, a background-check determination is wrong, or another specific legal violation is present. A lawsuit is not a generic substitute for expungement or a federal restoration application. Litigation requires a valid cause of action, evidence, jurisdiction and compliance with deadlines; a lawyer must first determine whether it exists in the particular case.

Where should a Michigan resident start?

To learn about the federal § 925(c) application process, visit FelonJustice.com or its federal application intake. That private intake is not the official DOJ application. Confirm the identity of any attorney and the terms of representation before providing sensitive information.

Federal firearm restoration 2026: frequently asked questions