Mel Gibson, a prominent figure in Hollywood and a well-known conservative, has had his gun rights reinstated.
The actor and director, who has been as much in the limelight for his political leanings as for his cinematic contributions, was among ten individuals whose "firearms privileges" were restored, as announced in a Department of Justice notice in the Federal Register on Tuesday. Attorney General Pam Bondi played a significant role in this development.
According to the Western Journal, Gibson, 69, rose to fame in the 1980s and '90s through his roles in the "Mad Max" and "Lethal Weapon" movie franchises. His 1995 production "Braveheart," in which he starred, directed, and produced, remains one of the most iconic films of the decade.
1However, Gibson's career has not been without controversy. In 2006, he was arrested for DUI and made anti-Semitic remarks to the arresting officer. In 2011, he was convicted for misdemeanor battery following a dispute with his then-partner and mother of his daughter. This conviction resulted in Gibson losing his rights to possess a firearm.
Gibson's conviction was later vacated in 2014 after he completed his probation. Following the 2010 incident, Gibson quit drinking and in 2020, he celebrated a decade of sobriety. Despite these personal victories, Gibson's legal situation made headlines again when a Justice Department pardon attorney, Elizabeth G. Oyer, was dismissed after refusing to recommend Gibson for the restoration of his gun rights. Oyer defended her decision, citing "concerns about public safety."
The "famous friend of the president" Oyer referred to was indeed Gibson, as reported by USA Today. Attorney General Bondi, however, disagreed with Oyer's stance. The Federal Register notice did not provide specific details about Gibson's case but stated that under federal law, the U.S. attorney general has the authority to restore gun rights if it is determined that the individual is unlikely to pose a threat to public safety and that granting the relief would not be contrary to public interest.
Among the ten individuals whose gun rights were restored alongside Gibson was former New York Jet and NFL Hall of Famer Joseph Klecko, who had lost his gun rights following a 1993 conviction for lying to a federal grand jury in an insurance fraud case.
Gibson's outspoken conservatism and strong Catholic faith have often put him at odds with the Hollywood establishment. However, his journey of personal reformation following a troubled past has served as an inspiration for other celebrities, such as Robert Downey Jr., in their battles against addiction. Gibson's conservative stance has also earned him a significant following among conservatives. In January, President Trump named Gibson, along with fellow conservative actors Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone, as "ambassadors to Hollywood."
Gibson's reinstatement of gun rights is a testament to his personal transformation and a significant development in his ongoing journey. His story serves as a reminder of the power of personal reformation and the importance of individual rights, themes that resonate deeply with conservative values.
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