Justice Department Official Fired After Refusing to Restore Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights

Former pardon attorney claims she was dismissed for rejecting a request to reinstate Gibson’s firearm privileges, citing domestic violence concerns.

Washington, DC, March 11: A Justice Department official has claimed she was fired for refusing to recommend the restoration of actor Mel Gibson’s gun rights, reigniting debates over political influence in the legal system.

Former U.S. Pardon Attorney Elizabeth G. Oyer revealed in an interview that she was dismissed on Friday after rejecting a request to add Gibson to a list of individuals eligible to regain firearm privileges. The list was initially compiled by a working group within the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a broader effort to reinstate gun rights for certain individuals with prior convictions.

“This Is a Safety Issue, Not Politics”

Oyer, speaking to The New York Times, expressed her deep concerns about restoring gun rights to individuals with domestic violence convictions.

“Giving guns back to domestic abusers is a serious matter that, in my view, is not something that I could recommend lightly, because there are real consequences that flow from people who have a history of domestic violence being in possession of firearms,” Oyer stated.

She noted that while the working group had thoroughly reviewed cases of 95 individuals, narrowing them down to nine recommended candidates, Gibson was not originally on the list. The request to include him reportedly came from the office of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, after Gibson’s lawyers lobbied for his gun rights restoration in a letter to senior DOJ officials.

Pressure Over Gibson’s “Personal Relationship” With Trump

According to Oyer, she refused to recommend Gibson because she did not have enough information about his case compared to others on the list. Her decision was met with intense pressure from DOJ officials.

She recounted that a senior male official called her and suggested she reconsider her stance, adding that Gibson’s “personal relationship with President Trump” should be enough to justify restoring his gun rights.

“He then essentially explained to me that Mel Gibson has a personal relationship with President Trump and that should be sufficient basis for me to make a recommendation and that I would be wise to make the recommendation,” Oyer alleged.

The conversation, which started amicably, reportedly turned aggressive, with Oyer feeling pressured to comply.

Despite the pressure, Oyer maintained her stance. She later sent an email to DOJ officials stating that the final decision ultimately rested with the Attorney General, but she still did not recommend restoring Gibson’s gun rights.

Hours later, she was fired from her position.

Background on Gibson’s Conviction and Gun Rights Dispute

Mel Gibson lost his right to own a firearm following his 2011 domestic violence conviction in Los Angeles Superior Court. He had pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge involving his former girlfriend.

In a letter to Justice Department officials, Gibson’s legal team argued that the actor had been tapped as a “special ambassador” to Hollywood by Trump and that he had recently attempted to purchase a handgun but was denied due to his conviction.

Ethical Concerns and Fallout

Oyer’s dismissal has raised ethical concerns regarding potential political interference in judicial decisions, particularly in restoring gun rights to high-profile individuals with personal ties to the administration.

“This is dangerous. This isn’t political—this is a safety issue,” Oyer said after her termination.

Neither the Justice Department nor Mel Gibson’s representatives have publicly commented on the allegations.

As debates over gun rights, domestic violence, and political influence continue, the case highlights the challenges of balancing legal fairness with political power—especially when high-profile figures are involved.

---

Tags: Mel Gibson, Gun Rights, Justice Department, Trump Administration, Pardon Attorney, Domestic Violence, Firearm Regulations, Political Influence, U.S. Law, DOJ Controversy

#Tags: #MelGibson #GunRights #JusticeDepartment #TrumpAdministration #DOJ #PoliticalInfluence #DomesticViolence #FirearmLaws #EthicalConcerns #LegalNews