Mel Gibson's firearm rights restored amid controversy
Mel Gibson is regaining his position and prestige in Hollywood. The Department of Justice restored the actor's right to own firearms, which he lost due to domestic violence-related offences. The official who "impeded" the case was dismissed.
In June of last year, the US Supreme Court ruled that individuals committing domestic violence could have their right to own firearms revoked. The judges upheld the existing law, which a lower court sought to overturn. This news might have worried Mel Gibson, who lost his firearm licence in 2011 when he admitted in court to a charge of physical violence against his then-partner.
A person who lost the right to own firearms can, however, apply for its restoration. Just like Mel Gibson did. However, his case was likely "handled" bypassing the existing procedures.
In an interview with the "New York Times," Elizabeth G. Oyer, the Justice Department's attorney for pardons, stated that she sent a letter recommending the restoration, after careful consideration, of firearm rights to nine candidates who had previously committed offences. In response, she received a "request" to add Mel Gibson to the list of recommended individuals.
Due to the lack of required documents, Oyer rejected the application to restore the actor's firearm rights. A few hours later, she received a call from the deputy attorney general, who said it would be "prudent to make such a recommendation" due to the actor's "personal relations with President Trump." The next day, the attorney was dismissed from her job.
Let us recall that in January, Mel Gibson was appointed by Donald Trump as a "special ambassador" in Hollywood. He is tasked with restoring order there and bringing back the "golden era" to the Dream Factory.
