While federal law provides an opportunity for those who have been convicted of crimes to have their gun rights restored, an amendment authored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has long prevented that option from being exercised.

Yet in a humiliating turn of events for Schumer, Attorney General Pam Bondi recently found a way to reverse the rule. 

Decades-old amendment banned ATF from spending money to process applications

According to Breitbart, the change concerns 18 U.S.C. 925(c), which permits a prohibited person to demonstrate that he or she "will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety."

However, the 1992 amendment which Schumer wrote while serving as New York Democratic representative bans the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from spending money to process applications.

In response, Bondi put forth an order on Wednesday that shifts responsibility for handling applications away from the ATF, thus circumventing Schumer's amendment.

The change went into effect immediately, meaning that those who have lost their federal gun rights can now apply for their restoration.

Gun Owners of America (GOA) welcomes Bondi's change in policy

Bondi's decision was quickly welcomed by the Second Amendment advocacy group Gun Owners of America (GOA), which expressed gratitude in a social media post on Wednesday.

"Because of an amendment by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) in 1992, ATF has been prohibited from restoring gun rights for the last 32 years!" the post read.

Because of an amendment by @SenSchumer in 1992, ATF has been prohibited from restoring gun rights for the last 32 years!

Thank you @AGPamBondi for undoing this egregious infringement. https://t.co/uCwdbN9sHG pic.twitter.com/fLHVwdwRfP

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) March 19, 2025

"Thank you [Attorney General Pam Bondi] for undoing this egregious infringement," the pro-gun rights group went on to add.

GOA is "grateful to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi"

Aidan Johnston serves as director of federal affairs for GOA, and he told Breitbart News that the organization has spent decades "fighting against the 'Schumer Amendment,' which defunded the federal gun rights restoration statute."

"GOA and thousands of would-be gun owners are grateful to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for once again allowing gun owners to petition to have their gun rights restored by the Department of Justice," Johnston stressed.

"We hope to see many more infringements repealed as the federal government carries out President Trump’s executive order Protecting Second Amendment Rights," the activist went on to add.