By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff
WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) – Former U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin is launching a new gun rights group aimed at restoring firearm access to Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes, an initiative that seeks to boost conservative turnout in this fall’s midterm elections.
Martin, who left the Justice Department last week, said the group, Firearm Rights for Americans, was an idea encouraged by President Donald Trump during their final Oval Office meeting.
Trump told Martin he wanted to make sure his administration received “credit” for expanding gun access, Martin added.
“When you turn out Second Amendment voters, they vote right,” Martin said, referring to the Republican Party. “You gotta go sell that message.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A close ally of Trump, Martin said the group planned to produce and distribute written and video testimonials from individuals seeking to regain gun ownership.
The strategy aims to mobilize single-issue Second Amendment voters in competitive congressional swing districts who may feel the administration has not acted quickly enough on gun rights.
He hopes the effort could help Republicans preserve their House majority this year and build momentum toward the 2028 presidential election.
In August, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Martin announced the finalizing of a federal regulation allowing individuals disqualified from gun ownership to petition for the restoration of their rights.
The rare collaboration between two senior officials who have frequently clashed followed more than 30 other proposed rule changes to ease gun access, many backed by gun rights groups.
Through Firearm Rights for Americans, Martin said he hopes to ensure potential applicants and Second Amendment supporters know about the change, and as a result sway disaffected voters to go to the polls.
The group will also produce guides for eligible individuals to navigate state and federal regulations.
While the organization does not provide direct legal advice, it plans to connect applicants with independent attorneys. The group says it is not affiliated with the Justice Department or firearms manufacturers. It will be funded by donations.
Kris Brown, the president of gun control group Brady: United Against Gun Violence, said in a statement the finalized rule was a “gift to the gun industry” that rolls back critical safety protections under the guise of reform.
Martin, whose tumultuous service included a stint as interim U.S. attorney in D.C. and friction with career prosecutors, Blanche and other top DOJ officials, ended his service soon after Blanche took over as permanent attorney general.
Trump had previously withdrawn Martin’s nomination for the permanent D.C. post due to resistance from several Senate Republicans.
Martin said in an interview he had considered leaving earlier this year but waited until the gun-restoration rule was finalized and Blanche was confirmed.
Trump said the attorney had planned to remain engaged in “legal battles” in the midterms.
Martin said that, as part of those legal battles, he would work with the Republican National Committee to mobilize lawyers in battleground states, including in Ohio, to challenge potential election fraud, which is exceptionally rare.
(Reporting by Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff; Editing by Michael Learmonth)
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