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Trump administration move to restore gun rights to some convicts protested by Democrats

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georgiarecorder.com – Jennifer Shutt – 2025-06-20 18:04:00


The Trump administration violated the law by restoring firearm and explosives purchase rights to 10 convicted individuals, including Mel Gibson, according to six senior congressional Democrats. They argue the Justice Department’s move to shift authority from the ATF to the attorney general breaches separation of powers and longstanding budget provisions barring the ATF from restoring gun rights to felons. Congress has consistently prioritized crime investigation over reinstating firearm rights to serious offenders due to risks, especially concerning domestic violence. Citing a 1980s study showing dangerous criminals regaining gun rights and subsequent re-arrests, Democrats urge DOJ to revoke the rule and restore bans on these 10 individuals.

by Jennifer Shutt, Georgia Recorder
June 20, 2025

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s decision to restore 10 convicts’ ability to legally purchase firearms and explosives violated the law, according to a letter six high-ranking congressional Democrats released Friday.

The Justice Department publication of an interim final rule moving the authority to restore some convicts’ gun rights from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to the attorney general also violated the separation of powers and a decades-old provision in the department’s annual funding bill, according to the 12-page letter.

The Democrats wrote that while Congress did delegate the authority to “oversee restoration of federal firearm privileges applications” to the ATF several decades ago, lawmakers have included language in nearly every government funding bill since 1993 barring the ATF from spending any money to process those applications.

The prohibition followed then-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, trying to move the authority from the ATF to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Given the pervasiveness of gun violence in our nation, this Administration should not be circumventing Congress’ authority to prioritize restoring firearm privileges to individuals convicted of serious or violent crimes,” the Democrats wrote.

The letter was signed by House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.; Senate Appropriations ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash.; House Judiciary ranking member Jamie Raskin, D-Md.; Senate Judiciary ranking member Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; House Appropriations Commerce-Justice-Science subcommittee ranking member Grace Meng, D-N.Y.; and Senate Appropriations Commerce-Justice-Science subcommittee ranking member Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from States Newsroom.

Mel Gibson case

The DOJ under President Donald Trump has so far restored 10 individuals’ ability to legally purchase firearms, including the actor Mel Gibson, who “pleaded no contest to a charge of domestic violence” in 2011, according to Reuters.

Federal law bars several types of people from legally buying firearms, including anyone sentenced to more than one year in prison, which typically coincides with felonies, and those who commit domestic violence.

The six Democrats wrote that the “intersection between firearms and domestic violence remains a key concern, demonstrating the need to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.

“Research has shown that the presence of firearms significantly increases the risk of death or serious injury for victims of domestic or dating violence. The Supreme Court has recognized that the danger of a domestic abuser with a gun serves as a limitation on the Second Amendment.” 

The Democrats wrote that for decades Congress has prevented the ATF from restoring prohibited people’s ability to legally purchase firearms. The annual DOJ appropriations bill also bars moving the ability to approve those applications away from ATF to any other federal agency. 

“The concerns that originally led to these provisions — recidivist crime, limited investigative resources, and difficulty in assessing applicants — remain unchanged,” they wrote. “Congress made an explicit policy choice to prioritize investigating crime, rather than to waste funds on evaluating whether to restore firearm rights to previously convicted felons.”

Study cited

The letter says a study from the Violence Policy Center that looked at restorations during the late 1980s is one of many reasons Congress prohibited the ATF from restoring some felons’ ability to legally purchase firearms.

The study, which reviewed 100 ATF case files obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, showed the federal government had restored the ability of “terrorists, murderers, rapists, drug dealers, gun traffickers, and child molesters” to legally purchase firearms and explosives.

“The FOIA-obtained records also showed that of those granted relief between 1985 and 1989, 47 individuals were later re-arrested for serious offenses such as attempted murder, first-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, child molestation, illegal possession of a machine gun, trafficking in cocaine, LSD, and PCP, and illegal firearms possession or carrying,” they wrote.

The letter ends with Democrats calling on the DOJ to withdraw the interim final rule and “vacate the wrongfully granted restoration of federal firearms privileges to the 10 individuals.”

Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This article reflects a Center-Left perspective by highlighting concerns raised by Democratic lawmakers regarding the Trump administration’s policy on restoring gun rights to certain convicted individuals. The framing emphasizes legal and safety risks, particularly related to domestic violence and recidivism, aligning with a viewpoint that favors stricter gun control measures. While the article reports statements and evidence from Democrats, it refrains from overt partisan language or broad ideological attacks, focusing instead on legislative and public safety arguments. This results in a critique that leans left-of-center without being overtly partisan or ideological.

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Labubu vs. Lafufu: How to spot a fake doll | FOX 5 News

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-08-10 12:16:30

SUMMARY: Counterfeit Loo Dolls, a popular and trendy item, are increasingly targeted by scammers, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Many consumers have reported receiving fake dolls or never receiving their orders when purchasing from fraudulent websites. To avoid scams, the BBB advises researching sellers thoroughly by reading reviews and checking ratings on bbb.org. Use secure payment methods like credit cards instead of apps like Cash App or Venmo. Shoppers should avoid clicking on the first search result and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Victims can report scams at bbb.org/scamtracker to protect others.

The Better Business Bureau is sounding the alarm after a number of Labubu Doll buyers reportedly bought counterfeit toys. Here’s how to spot and report a Labubu scam to the BBB.

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Dancing with the Stars prom gives folks an opportunity to connect in Evans

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www.wjbf.com – Rickey Jones, Jr. – 2025-08-10 07:43:00

SUMMARY: Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events hosted its first “Dancing With the Stars” prom in Evans, Georgia, aimed at older teens and adults with special needs. Over 50 attendees and their caregivers enjoyed an evening of dancing, food, and music. Janet Wheatley, Programs and Events Manager, highlighted the event’s goal to create inclusive social opportunities and help participants connect with peers and resources. Caregivers emphasized the importance of such events for socialization and support. Attendees expressed excitement and joy. The event seeks to grow annually, fostering community and inclusion. More information is available on the Columbia County Parks website.

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Patrick Joseph White: Who is the accused Emory and CDC shooter?

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-08-09 18:02:47

SUMMARY: Patrick Joseph White, 30, from Kennesaw, is identified as the shooter in a deadly incident near the CDC campus in DeKalb County, close to Emory University. The shooting occurred just before 5 p.m. Friday, damaging at least four CDC buildings with multiple bullet holes. White was found dead on the second floor of a nearby CVS, struck by gunfire; it is unclear if it was self-inflicted or by police. Neighbors said White lived with his parents and believed the COVID-19 vaccine caused illness. Officer David Rose, a new Dekalb County police recruit, was killed responding to the scene. The motive remains unknown.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified Patrick Joseph White as the active shooter in an incident near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that left a DeKalb police officer dead. The GBI has not confirmed a motive for the shooting. However, one of White’s neighbors said that he was upset over the COVID-19 vaccine. Another neighbor said they would not have suspected White of doing something like this.

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