TROY, Mich. - The Department of Justice has officially paved the way for convicted felons to get their federal gun rights back. It's the first time that's been the case in three decades.

Local 4 first introduced you to Troy attorney Barton Morris in March. At the time, he said the opportunity for rights to be restored was just around the corner. Now, he's one of the only people in the country who is teaching people how to go through the complicated process.


Morris has been busy, especially since August 17th. That's the day the Justice Department's long-awaited rule came down.

 They finally published the rules that govern the program that tell us exactly who is eligible, what do you need for the application,  Barton Morris, principal attorney at The Law Offices of Barton Morris said. Morris is also the founder of ArmedAgain.com.

The move follows the DOJ's proposal to restart the 925(c) program in 2025. The program began in the 1980s, but disappeared in the 1990s.

Its purpose: to give people who do not pose a significant safety risk a chance to restore their federal gun rights. Now, with the rules published, the program is back in motion.

 For those only that are nonviolent individuals,  Morris said.  People that deserve relief and can prove that they are not public safety threats and they have the character reputation for nonviolence. 

Local 4 asked Morris about people with a history of domestic violence, certain sex offenses or other specific violent offenses. Those cases cannot have rights restored.

Since the announcement, Morris says hundreds of people have reached out to him. He believes hundreds of thousands of people across Michigan could eventually apply.

But, he says the process will be far from simple.

 You need to have all of the records,  he said.  All of the court records that are applicable to their offense. They have to be real records, not pictures of them. The character of the documents they acquire is going to be important. 

There's been so many people reaching out, he's decided to do something about it.

 We have so many people,  he said.  W

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