Federal gun rights restored in 2025 despite a domestic violence plea, and the fired pardon attorney
Gibson lost federal gun rights after a 2011 no contest plea to misdemeanor battery of his former girlfriend. In 2025, after Donald Trump named him a special ambassador to Hollywood, the Justice Department restored those rights. Pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer said she was fired after refusing to recommend it, which department officials disputed, and she sued in 2026.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- No contest plea to battery of Oksana Grigorieva, as reported - BBC News and Reuters reported that Gibson pleaded no contest in Los Angeles to a misdemeanor battery charge over a 2010 fight with his then girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. He was given 36 months' probation, a year of domestic violence counselling, 16 hours of community service and fines. His lawyer said his children's interests came first. Prosecutors found insufficient evidence to charge Grigorieva over his extortion claim. Mel Gibson gets probation for domestic violence
- Trump names Gibson a 'special ambassador' to Hollywood - BBC News and AP reported that Donald Trump (@realdonaldtrump) announced on Truth Social that Jon Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone would be 'Special Ambassadors' to Hollywood to bring business back to the US. The BBC said it was unclear what the roles would involve. Gibson said he learned of it at the same time as everyone else and was surprised, but 'I heed the call'. Donald Trump vows to help 'troubled' Hollywood with Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone
- DOJ pardon attorney says she was fired after opposing Gibson's gun rights - The New York Times, The Guardian and NBC News reported that Justice Department pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer said she was fired on March 7, a day after refusing to recommend restoring Gibson's gun rights. She said a senior official told her Gibson's personal relationship with Trump should be enough for a recommendation. The Guardian said department officials told the Times and NBC her account was not accurate; Gibson's representative did not comment. DoJ official says she was fired after refusing to restore Mel Gibson's gun rights
- Justice Department restores Gibson's federal gun rights - Reuters, citing The New York Times, reported that the Justice Department would let Gibson and nine others own guns again despite his 2011 domestic violence conviction, noting that federal law bars most people convicted of domestic abuse from owning firearms. A notice published in the Federal Register on April 29 said the Attorney General granted Gibson relief from federal firearms disabilities on March 31. Mel Gibson's right to own a gun restored by Justice Department, NYT reports
- Oyer sues the Justice Department over the firing tied to the Gibson case - The Guardian and AP reported that Elizabeth Oyer sued the Justice Department and Attorney General Todd Blanche in federal court in Washington, alleging she was asked to 'facilitate a political favor' for Gibson based on his 'relationship with President Trump'. She called her removal unlawful and asked to be reinstated. The Guardian noted a department official had earlier said the Gibson dispute played no role in her dismissal. Former pardon attorney sues DoJ over 'unlawful' firing tied to Mel Gibson case