By Chris McNutt
Actor and Hollywood legend Mel Gibson has become the unlikely face of the fight to restore gun rights for those convicted of past offenses.
Gibson, who lost his Second Amendment rights after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in 2011, has been working to have his ability to own a firearm reinstated.
But his battle took a controversial turn when Justice Department Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer claimed she was fired for refusing to recommend that Gibson’s gun rights be restored.
According to Oyer, she was pressured by Biden administration officials to add Gibson to a list of individuals eligible for presidential clemency, despite his prior conviction. When she refused, citing public safety concerns, she was abruptly dismissed from her position.
Gibson’s situation has rekindled the national debate over whether certain individuals should have their firearm rights restored, particularly non-violent offenders who have served their time.
While some argue that anyone who has completed their sentence should have full constitutional rights restored, others, like Oyer, claim that individuals with domestic violence convictions pose a continued public safety risk if allowed to own firearms.
Restoring Gun Rights for Felons in Texas
While Gibson’s case has ignited a national conversation, there are also ongoing efforts in Texas to restore gun rights to certain non-violent felons.
State Representative Wes Virdell has introduced House Bill 2759, a bill aimed at distinguishing between violent and non-violent felony convictions when it comes to firearm possession restrictions.
Under HB 2759, Texans who have been convicted of non-violent felonies would have their Second Amendment rights restored once they have completed their sentence, allowing them to lawfully purchase and own firearms.
However, the bill would not offer relief to individuals convicted of domestic violence or violent felonies, meaning someone in Gibson’s situation would still be prohibited from legally possessing a firearm in Texas.
The Bigger Picture
Gibson’s case, along with HB 2759 in Texas, highlights a growing divide over how Second Amendment rights should be handled when it comes to former offenders. Should someone convicted of a non-violent crime decades ago be stripped of their rights forever? And should there be a pathway for those with past convictions to fully restore their constitutional freedoms?
In Texas, HB 2759 is gaining traction, with supporters arguing that once a non-violent felon has served their time, they should have the same rights as any other law-abiding citizen. But just like Gibson’s case, the bill has sparked pushback from anti-gun activists, who claim that any loosening of firearm restrictions is a public safety risk.
What’s Next?
As Mel Gibson fights for his gun rights, and Texas lawmakers debate HB 2759, the battle over who gets to exercise their Second Amendment rights continues to heat up. Whether at the federal level or in state legislatures, one thing is certain—this debate isn’t going away anytime soon.
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