Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., introduces gun rights restoration amendment

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., offered an amendment to the FY16 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act today that could allow people subject to a federal gun ban, such as felons, to petition for their right to posses a gun.

The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

“America is a land of second chances,” Buck said in a prepared statement. “One mistake should not define your future. A law-abiding, 45-year-old dad who made one mistake at 18 should have the choice of how best to protect his family or to take his kids hunting. He should have the chance to make a petition to restore his constitutional right to bear arms. This solution is long overdue.”

The amendment allows people subject to a federal gun ban to petition the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) for restoration of their Second Amendment rights, a news release from Buck’s office stated. They can seek relief by petitioning the District Court in the District in which they reside.

In 1986, Congress voted to create a program to allow Americans subject to a federal gun ban to petition BATFE to have their rights restored. Since the early 1990’s Congress has annually adopted an appropriations rider, which cuts off all funds for the implementation of BATFE’s system to restore Second Amendment rights, the release stated.