Felony convictions (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1))

Domestic violence misdemeanor convictions (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9))

Prohibits firearm possession (and often purchase/receipt) while the federal disability applies

Pardon (state governor for state convictions; President for federal convictions)

Expungement / set-aside / vacatur (only if it removes the conviction in a way federal law recognizes)

State restoration of civil rights (can matter under federal “conviction” definitions, depending on state law and the offense)

Federal eligibility is not always restored just because state law restores rights; it depends on how the conviction is treated under federal definitions

Completion of sentence (incarceration, probation/parole, fines, restitution)

Waiting period (often 5–10 years in some states)

Petition process (court or agency), sometimes with a hearing

Violent offenses, weapons offenses, repeat felonies, protective orders, or other disqualifiers

Usually after time has passed and all sentence terms are completed

Often excludes domestic violence and other specifically barred offenses

May restore gun rights if state law treats the conviction as removed/negated for firearms purposes

Sealing alone may not eliminate the federal prohibition

Confirm whether the remedy qualifies as expungement/set-aside/vacatur recognized under federal standards

Governor pardon (or pardon board process, depending on the state)

Presidential pardon

Often the strongest path for restoring rights, but discretionary and usually requires a strong application record

A formal document recognizing rehabilitation and restoring certain civil rights

In some states it can restore firearm rights, or support a later petition/pardon

Still must be reviewed for federal effect

Making this route generally unavailable in practice

State and federal rules interact in complex ways

Mistakes can lead to serious criminal exposure

Certified judgment, charging documents, sentence completion proof, any prior restoration/expungement orders

Expungement/vacatur or other qualifying relief if state law provides

Pardon in appropriate cases

Even after state relief, federal prosecution risk can remain if the federal disability is not clearly removed under federal definitions