Donald Trump’s Justice Department will reinstate Mel Gibson’s right to own firearms, despite his 2011 battery conviction. According to The New York Times, the decision—approved by Attorney General Pam Bondi—also restores gun rights for nine other individuals. Gibson, a vocal supporter of Trump, has a prior misdemeanor domestic violence conviction stemming from a 2011 incident involving his former girlfriend, to which he pleaded no contest.
The decision to restore Gibson’s gun rights ignited a heated dispute within the Justice Department, particularly with former pardon attorney Elizabeth G. Oyer, who was fired by the Trump administration in March. Several other senior Justice Department lawyers were also dismissed around the same time. According to NBC News, Oyer resisted pressure from higher-ups, refusing to recommend Gibson for a shortlist of individuals with criminal records eligible to have their firearm rights reinstated. She told The New York Times that a department official urged her to reconsider, citing Gibson’s “personal relationship with Donald Trump” as a reason for inclusion.
Oyer said her objections were based on the potential risks of allowing someone with a domestic violence conviction to possess a firearm, emphasizing that her stance was not politically motivated. An attorney representing Gibson had petitioned the Trump administration to reinstate the actor’s gun rights, noting that Gibson had recently tried to purchase a firearm in Nevada but was denied due to his prior conviction.
According to The New York Times, Gibson could still face restrictions on gun ownership in certain states, despite the federal government’s decision to restore his rights. While some states have laws barring convicted felons from owning firearms, Gibson pleaded to a misdemeanor—not a felony—in this case, which may exempt him from those specific state-level prohibitions.
Gibson made an off-the-cuff endorsement in the presidential race and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s intelligence during an October conversation with TMZ. As he was entering the Los Angeles International Airport, Gibson was asked for his thoughts on the pivotal election. “I don’t think it’s going to surprise anyone who I vote for,” the Braveheart director replied.
“Well, so, I mean, I’m going to guess… I’m going to guess,” the TMZ reporter followed up while following Gibson and his entourage into the airport. “Trump. Is that a bad guess?” the reporter said, to which Gibson replied, “I think that’s a pretty good guess.” The reporter then asked for Gibson’s thoughts on how a second Trump term would look. “I know what it would be like if we let her in,” Gibson responded. “Well, there’s a miserable track record, appalling track record, no policies to speak of,” he continued, adding: “And she’s got the IQ of a fence post.”
Gibson, a devout Christian and outspoken critic of left-wing social views has previously shared his support for Trump. An avid combat sports enthusiast, he was spotted saluting the former president as Trump entered UFC 290 in Las Vegas. The Best Picture winner was later seen conversing with Trump, Roger Stone, and Joe Rogan.