Pam Bondi Restores Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights in Controversial Move

Attorney General Pam Bondi has reinstated gun ownership rights for actor Mel Gibson, overturning a decade-long ban tied to his 2011 domestic violence conviction.

The decision, approved this week, allows Gibson to bear arms despite his misdemeanor plea. It follows his vocal support for Trump and years of legal wrangling.

Bondi’s office also cleared nine others, but Gibson’s case has drawn the most scrutiny. Critics call it a political favor, citing his conservative bona fides.

Federal law typically bars domestic abusers from owning guns, yet Bondi’s ruling sidesteps this. She argued Gibson’s rehabilitation and time elapsed justify the exception.

The move sparked outrage from gun control advocates, who see it as undermining public safety. They note a Justice Department attorney was fired for opposing the decision.

Gibson’s 2011 conviction stemmed from an altercation with his then-partner, Oksana Grigorieva. He lost his gun rights under California law, upheld until now.

Supporters praise Bondi for correcting what they call an overreach of state power. They say Gibson, a father and filmmaker, poses no current threat.

Legal experts question the precedent, warning it could weaken firearm restrictions nationwide. State laws may still limit Gibson’s rights, despite the federal nod.

Bondi, a Trump appointee, framed the decision as a Second Amendment victory. Her critics allege it’s a reward for Gibson’s loyalty to the president.

The actor has stayed silent, but his allies say he’s grateful to reclaim his rights. Public reaction has split sharply along partisan lines.

Women’s groups plan protests, arguing the ruling dismisses domestic violence victims. Bondi’s team insists each case was judged on its merits, not politics.

The controversy adds fuel to debates over gun laws in Trump’s second term. It may prompt Congress to revisit federal restrictions on abusers.