Felon Gun Rights by State: Does Your State Restore Them?
Felon gun rights by state vary enormously — some states restore firearm rights automatically after a waiting period, some require a pardon, and a few have almost no path back at all. None of that changes your separate federal prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), which works the same no matter which state you live in.
Two Different Systems, Confused Constantly
A felony conviction can strip your gun rights under state law, federal law, or both, depending on the offense. State restoration and federal restoration are handled by completely different authorities, follow different rules, and one does not automatically fix the other. This page covers the general state landscape; see our 2026 federal restoration status page and step-by-step federal application guide for the nationwide federal process.
States Where a Pardon Is the Main Path Back
In these states, firearm rights generally stay lost after a felony until a governor’s pardon or similar executive action, sometimes combined with a waiting period: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Wyoming uses automatic restoration for non-violent first offenders but requires a pardon for everyone else.
States With a Fixed Waiting Period
These states restore firearm rights automatically, or allow an application, once a set number of years has passed — often with longer periods or no restoration at all for violent or drug offenses:
- Texas: 5 years after sentence completion, but only for possessing a firearm at your own home; a pardon is required for full rights
- Georgia: 10 years for first offenders (5 for deferred adjudication)
- Louisiana: 10 years after discharge
- New Mexico: 10 years after sentence completion
- North Dakota: 10 years for violent felonies, 5 for other felonies
- Pennsylvania: 10 years after discharge, through a court
- Illinois: 20 years for violent offenses
- North Carolina: 20 years for nonviolent first offenders
- Indiana: 15 years after the offense
- Oregon: 15 years for first offenses (excluding homicide and weapons offenses)
- Michigan: 3 years for most felonies, 5 for violent or drug offenses
- Massachusetts: long-gun rights after 5 years, except drug and violence offenses
- Alaska: 10 years for nonviolent concealable-weapon rights; otherwise permanent without a pardon
States That Restore Through Court Petition or Expungement
Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah generally restore firearm rights through a court petition, expungement, or agency process rather than a fixed waiting period alone, often with carve-outs for violent or drug offenses.
States Where Rights Return on Discharge, With Exceptions
Minnesota restores firearm rights for most felonies automatically once a sentence is discharged, but drug and violent offenses still require a court application or pardon.
Why This Doesn’t Settle Your Federal Case
Even in a state that restores your rights automatically or through a simple petition, your federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) is a separate question. Under 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20), a state restoration can sometimes remove the federal disability too — but only if it does not expressly preserve a firearm restriction, and only for the specific conviction it covers. If you have any doubt, the federal process is handled the same way regardless of your state: through the Department of Justice’s reopened § 925(c) program. See if you qualify or read our full application guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does restoring my rights in my state automatically fix my federal prohibition?
Not automatically. It depends on whether your state’s restoration meets the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20) and does not expressly restrict firearms. Many people need both a state remedy and the federal § 925(c) process.
What if my state has no real path to restore firearm rights?
You may still be able to resolve your federal prohibition through the DOJ’s § 925(c) process, which is separate from any state mechanism and works the same nationwide.
Where can I check my state’s current law?
State restoration laws change; this page describes the general pattern, not a substitute for current, state-specific legal advice. For a complex case, we can refer you to an independent, licensed attorney.
This site is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Our restoration package provides educational, self-help materials to guide you through the DOJ’s federal application process. Outcomes are determined solely by the Department of Justice and are never guaranteed. For complex cases, we can refer you to an independent, licensed attorney.