You Paid Your Debt. So Why Are You Still Being Treated Like a Criminal?
You’ve changed your life. Maybe your conviction happened years or even decades ago. You’ve stayed out of trouble, held down a job, supported your family. You’ve done everything society asked of you—and then some.
And yet, when you try to buy a firearm, you’re told: no.
Denied by the background check. Flagged by NICS. Still considered “prohibited” under federal law.
Maybe you were told by a judge or lawyer that your rights were restored. Or maybe your state expunged the conviction. And still… the system treats you like a dangerous criminal.
At National Security Law Firm, we understand how confusing—and unfair—this process feels. You’re not asking for special treatment. You just want your rights back.
This blog will give you straight answers about what the law really says when it comes to owning a gun after a felony conviction, what paths exist to restore those rights, and how we can help you finally get closure and move on with your life.
🔐 Federal Law vs. State Law: The Root of the Problem
Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), it is illegal for any person:
“who has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year”
to ship, transport, possess, or receive any firearm or ammunition.
In simple terms, if you’ve been convicted of a felony, you’re banned from owning or handling a gun under federal law.
It doesn’t matter whether:
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The conviction happened 30 years ago
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You never served time
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Your state expunged the conviction
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A judge told you your rights were “restored”
Unless a very specific exception applies under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20), the federal ban stays in place.
When Can You Legally Own a Gun After a Felony Conviction?
There are three main ways someone convicted of a felony can regain their firearm rights:
1. A Qualifying Expungement, Pardon, or Civil Rights Restoration
Under § 921(a)(20), your conviction may no longer disqualify you if:
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It has been expunged, set aside, or you’ve been pardoned, or
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Your civil rights (including the right to vote, serve on a jury, and possess a firearm) have been fully restored by the state
BUT—it only works if the expungement or restoration doesn’t expressly state that you are still prohibited from owning firearms.
Warning: Many state expungements and sealing laws do not restore your federal gun rights. In fact, many simply hide the record—they do not eliminate the conviction for federal purposes.
2. Federal Relief Under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) — Coming Soon
This law allows the U.S. Attorney General to grant relief if:
“…the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.”
The problem? This program has been defunded since 1992.
But in 2025, the Department of Justice announced that the § 925(c) program is being revived. A new application system is being built through the Office of the Pardon Attorney and is expected to go live soon.
Millions of people may qualify to apply.
🧠 Learn more: Can You Restore Federal Gun Rights After a Felony Conviction? Yes—Here’s How.
3. Presidential Pardon or Gubernatorial Pardon (in Some States)
A presidential pardon for a federal offense, or a gubernatorial pardon for a state offense (if it fully restores civil rights), can remove your federal firearms disability.
However, pardons are rare, politically sensitive, and difficult to obtain. Our team can help you determine whether it’s worth pursuing.
💵 How Much Does It Cost to Restore Federal Gun Rights?
At National Security Law Firm, we offer flat-fee pricing tailored to the path that fits your situation:
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Federal firearm rights analysis
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State expungement or civil rights restoration
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Pardon application preparation
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925(c) petition preparation (when the DOJ launches the program)
We also offer legal financing through Pay Later by Affirm, which lets you break your fee into monthly payments over 3, 6, 12, or even 24 months—with no interest or impact to your credit score for checking eligibility.
👉 Click here to learn more about legal financing.
You don’t have to choose between protecting your rights and protecting your wallet.
⭐ Why Choose National Security Law Firm?
We are the go-to law firm for restoring federal gun rights after a felony. Our clients trust us—and you can too.
✅ Over 150 Five-Star Reviews
We have a 4.9-star rating on Google because we consistently deliver excellent outcomes and treat every client with respect.
✅ Insider Advantage
Our team includes former federal prosecutors, military officers, and security clearance adjudicators. We know how the government thinks—and how to win.
✅ Nationwide Representation
Whether your conviction happened in California, Texas, New Jersey, or anywhere in between—we can help. We’re based in Washington, D.C., the hub of federal law.
✅ Veteran-Founded, Mission-Focused
Founded by disabled veterans, our mission is to maximize the outcome of every case and give you back the dignity and rights you deserve.
✅ Specialized Knowledge
We don’t dabble. Our attorneys focus exclusively on federal law, military matters, security clearances, and complex restoration issues. We’re built for this.
📚 Additional Resources
Want to dive deeper into how gun rights restoration works?
Visit our full Firearm Rights Restoration Resource Center.
Ready to Find Out If You Qualify? Let’s Fix This—Today.
The longer you wait, the harder this gets. Records fade. Laws shift. Agencies change procedures. But right now, you still have options—and we can help you pursue them.
Book a free consultation today, and we’ll tell you exactly what to do next. We’ll analyze your record, identify your best path forward, and get to work on restoring your rights.
The quicker you act, the better your chances of success.
👉 Book your free consultation now.
