The New York Times reported that the U.S. Justice Department has decided to allow Mel Gibson, an actor, to once again own firearms, despite a 2011 conviction for domestic violence.
The Times reported, citing anonymous sources familiar with the Justice Department’s decision, that Gibson, who is a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, would be among nine others whose right to possess a firearm will be restored. The names of these nine people will be published soon in the Federal Register.
Most people convicted for domestic violence are prohibited from possessing a gun by federal law.
A California judge sentenced Gibson to three years’ probation on a misdemeanor for striking his girlfriend 14 years ago. Gibson entered a no-contest plea to the charge in a plea agreement to avoid jail.
Gibson’s representative said that he did not have any immediate comments. The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The White House sent a comment request to the Justice Department.
The Times reported the dispute over Gibson’s rights to own guns caused friction within the Justice Department. Elizabeth Oyer refused last month to restore Gibson’s rights to possess a firearm. The next day, she was fired.
Oyer, in an interview with the Times, said she had been told by a senior Justice Department leader that Gibson’s right to own a weapon should be restored based on the fact that he had a personal relationship with the president.
Oyer stated that her refusal to accept the plea deal was not political but rather based on not having conducted a background check into Gibson’s situation and considering a domestic abuse conviction as extremely concerning.
Trump named Gibson and the actors Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight as “special ambassadors” of Hollywood a few weeks before his January inauguration.
