Free screener

Answer a few questions and see what the rule says about waiting periods and other factors. This is information, not legal advice, and it cannot predict how an application would be decided.

Help with step 1: Check your eligibility

What this step is

The screener asks about why rights were lost, the offense and key dates. It shows what the rule says about waiting periods and the groups it treats differently. It shows the dates it counts. It does not decide eligibility.

What you need

The type of case you are asking about.
Dates for your conviction and for when you finished your sentence.

How long it takes

About 5 minutes

What it costs

Free

What happens next

You tell us your story, one question at a time.

If you get stuck

You are not sure of a date. Use your best guess. You can fix it later.
You do not know which type fits. Pick the closest one.

Step 1: Finding the right dates

The screener needs the date your whole sentence was finished. That includes jail, probation, parole and fines. Your court papers or a probation discharge paper often show it. If you are not sure, you can request your court records in step 4.

What the rule says: Waiting periods in the rule

The rule sets a waiting period before an application is looked at. For drug trafficking, it is 10 years. For firearm-related offense, it is 10 years. For violent felony, it is 5 years. For sex offense, it is 5 years. For other felony, it is 5 years. For domestic violence misdemeanor, it is 5 years. For mental-health adjudication or commitment, it is 5 years. The time is counted from the day the whole sentence was done, including probation or parole. The screener in step 1 shows the date it counts from your answers.

Ask the help assistant a question

I'm stuck on this step

Rights Restore is not a law firm. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
This is information about what the rule says, not legal advice.
No outcome is guaranteed. The Department of Justice decides each application at its discretion.
Rights Restore is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Department of Justice or any government agency.

Which best describes why firearm rights were lost?

Which best describes the offense or matter?

Date of conviction, adjudication or commitment

Used to show the dates the rule counts from.

Date everything in the sentence was finished (jail, probation, parole, fines)

The waiting period is counted from this date in this version of the rules.

Are you still on probation, parole or supervised release?YesNo

Are you currently required to register as a sex offender?YesNo

The rule treats this differently.

Are any other criminal charges pending against you?YesNo

If a prior federal relief application was denied, on what date? (optional)

Which state do you live in?

Your answers are not saved. They are used once to build this page.