DOJ Bends Privacy Rules for Gun Rights Review Database
Published Date: 10/7/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Justice is updating rules to protect a new database that tracks people applying to get their federal gun rights back. This change means some privacy rules won’t apply to keep sensitive info safe during the review process. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until November 6, 2026, to comment—no money changes, just stronger privacy protections!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Your Privacy Act Access Rights Limited
The Department of Justice proposes to exempt the Firearms Rights Restoration Electronic Records Database (FRRERD, JUSTICE/OPA-002) from 5 U.S.C. 552a subsections (c)(3) and (4); (d)(1)–(4); and (e)(1), (2), and (5). That means individuals may not get accounting of disclosures, notice of amendment recipients, access to or amendment of investigatory/adjudicatory records, or certain record-keeping protections for records in this system to the extent allowed by 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k).
Application Fee, Time, and Volume for Gun-Right Restoration
To apply for restoration of federal firearms rights under 18 U.S.C. 925(c), applicants must submit personal, financial, health, and criminal history information. The rule notes an estimated 330,000 respondents per year, a $30 application fee, an estimated 65 minutes burden per response, and a frequency of once every five years until relief is granted.
DOJ Can Waive Exemptions Case-by-Case
The Department may waive the claimed Privacy Act exemptions for FRRERD in its sole discretion where DOJ determines that compliance would not interfere with the system's purposes or law enforcement operations. Any waiver is discretionary and limited to instances DOJ finds safe to permit compliance.
Applicant Data Hosted in FBI NGI/eDO Systems
FRRERD will use the FBI's Electronic Departmental Order (eDO) service within the FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system (JUSTICE/FBI-009) to collect, store, and maintain personally identifiable information of applicants seeking restoration of federal firearms rights. The records for these applications will be hosted on the FBI eDO/NGI platform.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19694, Annual Notices on Explosive Materials Storage Facilities to Local Fire Authority
If you store explosives, you now have to tell your local fire department every year and when you stop storing them. This new rule helps keep firefighters and the public safer by making sure they always know where explosives are stored. It starts on October 26, 2026, and you must keep your notices for five years—no extra fees, just more safety!
2026-19693, Implementing the Safe Explosives Act
The Safe Explosives Act final rule affects businesses and people who handle explosives, making reporting and transport rules clearer and simpler. Starting October 26, 2026, license holders must report key personnel changes but no longer need to verify who accepts deliveries for them. These updates cut red tape without adding new costs, keeping everyone safer and smoother in the explosive world.
2026-16981, Application for Relief From Disabilities Imposed by Federal Laws With Respect to the Acquisition, Receipt, Transfer, Shipment, Transportation, or Possession of Firearms
The Department of Justice ("the Department") is implementing criteria to guide determinations for granting relief from disabilities imposed by federal laws with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms. The criteria are designed to ensure that the fundamental right of the people to keep and bear arms is not unduly infringed, that those people granted relief are not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that granting such relief would not be contrary to the public interest.
2026-15458, Civil Money Penalty for Actions in Contempt of an Immigration Judge's Proper Exercise of Authority
This notice of proposed rulemaking ("NPRM") would implement a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA" or "the Act") that authorizes Immigration Judges, under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, to sanction by civil money penalty any action (or inaction) in contempt of the proper exercise of their authority by certain individuals. The rule would: define the scope of the contempt authority; provide procedures for contempt findings, penalty determinations, and penalty payment; establish an appellate process; and implement oversight of the use of contempt authority. The rule would also make conforming changes to the grounds for practitioner discipline.
2026-13586, Registering NFA Firearms That Fall Out of Government Contract
If you make special firearms for the U.S. Government and your contract ends, you’ll now have a new way to register those guns even if you missed the usual deadline. This change helps manufacturers avoid penalties and keeps everything clear and fair. Comments on this proposal are open until September 4, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
2026-11526, Implementation of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Starting July 9, 2026, new rules make it easier for doctors and pharmacies to provide medicine that helps people recover from opioid addiction. These changes affect healthcare providers by expanding who can give medication-assisted treatment and how pharmacies can deliver these medicines. The goal? Faster, safer access to treatment with clear rules that save time and support recovery.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-20523, Statements of General Policy or Interpretation Not Directly Related to Regulations; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule
The Department of Labor is officially stopping its plan to remove certain policy statements that weren’t made through the usual public rulemaking process. This means workers, employers, and legal folks can keep relying on these helpful guides for now. The withdrawal took effect on October 6, 2026, with no new costs or changes for anyone.
Next: 2026-20543, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain Airbus A330 and A340 airplanes to fix new or stricter safety issues. This means more planes are affected, and operators will need to follow new maintenance steps to keep flying safely. Comments on these changes are open until November 23, 2026, and some extra costs might come with the new rules.