Federal Firearm Rights Restoration in Maryland

What Maryland Residents Should Understand

Maryland says a gubernatorial pardon is the state path for restoring firearm rights after a Maryland disqualifying conviction, and firearm restoration must be specifically addressed.

The Maryland Parole Commission states that, for Maryland convictions, a gubernatorial pardon is the way to seek restoration of firearm rights and that firearm rights are not automatically restored merely because a pardon is granted; restoration must be separately included in the pardon order. Maryland also cautions that federal law may impose an independent prohibition.

The Federal Process Is Separate

The U.S. Department of Justice now administers Federal Firearm Rights Restoration through the Office of the Pardon Attorney. DOJ states that people federally prohibited under one or more categories of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) may apply, but the federal process does not automatically restore state or tribal firearm rights.

• Identify the federal disability or disabilities that apply.
• Collect the required court, government, residential-history, and sentence-completion records.
• Keep state-law restoration documents, pardons, expungements, or set-aside orders together with the federal file.
• Do not assume a state result automatically resolves federal law, or vice versa.

Records Worth Organizing Before You Start

DOJ currently encourages applicants to gather required documents before beginning the federal e-application. Depending on the case, that may include charging documents, judgment, proof of completion of sentence requirements, plea-related records, state criminal-history records, prior restoration applications and decisions, and other official records.

Prepare the Federal File Before the 30-Day Clock

DOJ's current FAQ states that once an applicant initiates the e-application, the applicant has 30 days to complete and submit it. That makes advance record collection especially important.