How Much Does It Cost to Restore Gun Rights in Arizona?
For many Arizona firearm-rights matters, private attorney fees may fall approximately between $1,500 and $3,500 for a straightforward restoration proceeding. Multiple convictions, older records, serious offenses, contested hearings, complicated federal issues, or related set-aside proceedings may increase the fee.
A useful working estimate is:
• Straightforward firearm-rights review or restoration matter: approximately $1,500 to $3,500
• Multiple convictions or courts: additional fees may apply
• Contested or unusually complex proceeding: may cost more depending upon the work required
• Related set-aside proceeding: may be included or priced separately depending upon the representation agreement
These figures are estimated market ranges supplied for this page—not an official Arizona fee schedule or a Taylor Law Group quote. The actual cost depends upon the offense, sentence-completion date, criminal history, court records, whether the conviction may be set aside, whether a hearing is required, and whether federal firearm law also applies.
Douglas W. Taylor, Sr. is a former Pima County judge with more than 25 years of criminal-law experience. Before representation begins, clients should receive a clear explanation of whether restoration appears available, what procedure applies, and what the anticipated fee covers.
Written by the team at Taylor Law Group, PLLC and reviewed by Doug Taylor, former Pima County judge and assault defense attorney.
Last updated: August 7, 2026
First Question: Are Your Firearm Rights Already Restored?
Before paying anyone to file a petition, determine whether a separate firearm-rights application is actually necessary.
Arizona law now provides several potential paths to restoration depending upon the conviction and circumstances.
For some eligible felony convictions, a successful set-aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 restores the right to possess a firearm unless the conviction was for a “serious offense” as defined by A.R.S. § 13-706. Dangerous offenses are not eligible to be set aside under that statute.
Other cases may require a separate firearm-rights restoration proceeding under Arizona law.
The correct first step is therefore not automatically “file a gun-rights petition.”
It is:
Determine exactly why the person is prohibited, whether Arizona rights have already been restored, and whether federal law still creates a separate prohibition.
What Determines the Cost of FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORATION?
Several factors may affect the attorney’s fee.
The Conviction
The specific offense matters more than the general label “felony.”
Counsel should determine:
• The statute of conviction
• Felony classification
• Whether the offense was dangerous
• Whether it qualifies as a serious offense
• Whether a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument was involved
• Whether serious physical injury was an element
• Whether the conviction involved domestic violence
• Whether another state or federal conviction exists
A person should not rely solely upon an old sentencing document or an informal description of the case.
Whether the Conviction Can Be Set Aside
For some Arizona convictions, a successful set-aside may itself restore firearm rights under state law.
That may make a separate restoration petition unnecessary.
A.R.S. § 13-905 provides that firearm rights are restored when a conviction is set aside unless the conviction was for a serious offense. Dangerous offenses cannot be set aside under that statute.
This is one reason firearm-rights analysis should often be coordinated with set-aside and record-sealing strategy.
Serious Offenses
Arizona law treats certain “serious offenses” differently.
A person convicted of a serious offense may face a substantial waiting period before becoming eligible to seek firearm-rights restoration.
Under Arizona law, certain serious-offense cases generally require a ten-year waiting period after the applicable discharge before an application may be filed.
The exact offense and discharge date should be verified before filing.
Dangerous Offenses
Dangerous offenses present the most difficult category.
Arizona law may prohibit restoration for certain dangerous offenses, and dangerous convictions may also be excluded from set-aside relief.
Because this is a threshold eligibility issue, the precise conviction statute and sentencing record should be reviewed before any application is filed.
What About Federal Firearm Laws?
State restoration and federal firearm law are related—but they are not identical.
Federal law generally prohibits firearm possession by a person convicted of a qualifying felony or other offense punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.
However, federal law recognizes certain pardons, expungements, set-asides, and restorations of civil rights when the relief fully removes the firearm disability under the law of the convicting jurisdiction.
That means an Arizona order should never be viewed in isolation when federal law may apply.
Important questions may include:
• Was the conviction entered in Arizona or another jurisdiction?
• Was it state or federal?
• Were civil rights restored?
• Did the restoration fully restore firearm possession rights?
• Does the order itself contain any continuing firearm restriction?
• Does another conviction independently trigger federal prohibition?
• Does a domestic-violence conviction or protective order create a separate federal disability?
ATF currently states that state-law relief must fully remove the firearm disability for the federal prohibition tied to that conviction to be removed.
How Do Firearm-Rights Lawyers Charge?
These matters are often handled on a flat-fee basis when the record and eligibility are reasonably clear.
Flat Fee
A flat fee may cover:
• Criminal-history review
• Eligibility analysis
• Obtaining court records
• Identifying the correct statute and procedure
• Preparing the application
• Filing and monitoring the case
• Reviewing any prosecutor response
• Handling an uncontested ruling
A hearing, multiple convictions, complicated federal-law analysis, or related set-aside proceedings may be charged separately.
Hourly Fee
Hourly billing may make more sense when:
• Several convictions are involved
• Records are incomplete
• Multiple courts must be researched
• Federal issues are significant
• Eligibility is disputed
• A hearing is expected
Combined Post-Conviction Fee
Some cases may involve more than one form of relief, such as:
• Set-aside
• Firearm-rights restoration
• Record sealing
• Civil-rights restoration
The written fee agreement should identify exactly which proceedings are included.
What May Cost
Extra?
Possible additional expenses may include:
• Certified court records
• Criminal-history reports
• Record retrieval
• Transcripts
• Additional applications in other courts
• Contested hearings
• Set-aside applications
• Record-sealing petitions
• Federal-law research or separate federal counsel where appropriate
• Appeals or additional post-conviction proceedings
Ask which expenses are included and which are billed separately.
When Do You Actually Need a Lawyer?
You may not need to hire an attorney if your Arizona firearm rights have already been restored and there is no remaining state or federal prohibition.
That is exactly why the first step should be an eligibility review.
Hiring counsel becomes more valuable when:
• The conviction is old
• The criminal record is incomplete
• More than one felony exists
• A serious-offense waiting period may apply
• The offense may be dangerous
• A prosecutor may object
• A hearing may be required
• A set-aside may provide a better route
• Federal firearm law may still apply
• The person has received a NICS denial despite apparent restoration
An attorney’s value is in determining which remedy is actually needed, not simply filing paperwork.
Set-Aside, Record Sealing, or Firearm Restoration?
These remedies accomplish different things.
Set-Aside
A qualifying set-aside under A.R.S. § 13-905 changes the legal status of the judgment and may restore firearm rights in many cases.
Record Sealing
Record sealing under A.R.S. § 13-911 restricts public access to qualifying criminal records.
It is primarily a privacy and background-check remedy. It should not automatically be assumed to restore firearm rights.
Firearm-Rights Restoration
A firearm-rights application specifically addresses the right to possess firearms when Arizona law permits restoration and another remedy has not already accomplished it.
The best strategy may involve one remedy, more than one remedy, or no filing at all.
FORMER JUDGE INSIGHT
Firearm-rights cases are often less about persuasive courtroom rhetoric than about getting the legal classification exactly right.
A person may believe a felony automatically creates a lifetime ban when the law provides a path to relief. Another person may assume a set-aside solved everything when a serious-offense classification or federal prohibition remains.
Having served as a Pima County judge, I understand the importance of presenting the court with a complete record showing eligibility, sentence completion, rehabilitation, and the precise statutory basis for the requested relief.
The first question should always be: What does the law actually permit in this specific case?
Why Filing the Wrong Petition Can Cost More
Arizona provides self-service forms for many post-conviction matters.
The risk is not simply making a clerical mistake.
The larger risks include:
• Filing when no petition is necessary
• Filing before a waiting period expires
• Using the wrong statute
• Failing to recognize a dangerous offense
• Failing to recognize a serious offense
• Assuming a set-aside automatically resolves every federal issue
• Failing to identify another disqualifying conviction
• Requesting relief from the wrong court
• Possessing a firearm before restoration is legally complete
The last point matters most: Do not assume you may lawfully possess a firearm merely because you filed an application or believe you qualify for restoration.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a GUN-RIGHTS Lawyer
Before signing an agreement, ask:
• Am I currently prohibited under Arizona law?
• Do I actually need to file anything?
• Would a set-aside restore my firearm rights?
• Is my offense classified as dangerous or serious?
• Has the applicable waiting period expired?
• Does the fee include obtaining old court records?
• Does it include a contested hearing?
• Is federal firearm law also an issue?
• Do I need record sealing as well?
• What happens if the court denies the application?
The goal is to determine the correct legal remedy before spending money on a filing.
Real Example: A SET-ASIDE MAY CHANGE THE STRATEGY
A person completed probation years ago for an eligible Arizona felony and now wants firearm rights restored.
At first, the person assumes a separate firearm-rights petition is necessary.
After reviewing the conviction, counsel determines that the offense is not dangerous and is not classified as a serious offense. The person may qualify for a set-aside that could both improve the legal status of the conviction and restore firearm rights under Arizona law.
The correct strategy may therefore be different—and potentially more useful—than simply filing a stand-alone firearm petition.
Every case depends upon the actual conviction and current law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a gun-rights restoration lawyer cost in Arizona?
For a straightforward matter, private attorney fees may fall approximately between $1,500 and $3,500, based upon the estimated market range supplied for this page. Multiple convictions, missing records, hearings, serious-offense issues, or federal-law questions may increase the fee.
Can a person with a felony get firearm rights back in Arizona?
Sometimes. Eligibility depends upon the conviction, whether it was dangerous or serious, completion of the sentence, applicable waiting periods, and the form of relief available under Arizona law.
Does a set-aside restore firearm rights?
In many Arizona cases, yes. A.R.S. § 13-905 provides that firearm rights are restored when an eligible conviction is set aside unless the conviction was for a serious offense. Dangerous offenses cannot be set aside.
Can a dangerous offense be restored?
Arizona law imposes severe restrictions on firearm-rights restoration following dangerous offenses. The precise conviction and current statute should be reviewed before any application is attempted.
How long do I have to wait after a serious offense?
Certain serious offenses generally require a ten-year waiting period after the applicable discharge before a person may seek firearm-rights restoration.
Is there a court filing fee?
Court filing practices should be confirmed for the specific procedure and court involved. Attorney fees and record-retrieval expenses may still apply.
Does restoring Arizona gun rights automatically restore federal gun rights?
Not necessarily. Federal law requires separate analysis. ATF states that the underlying state-law relief must fully remove the firearm disability tied to the conviction for the federal prohibition based on that conviction to be removed.
Can I apply without a lawyer?
Potentially. Arizona provides self-service forms for certain restoration proceedings. An attorney may help determine whether a filing is necessary, whether the person is eligible, and whether state and federal law produce the same result.
Should I seal my record too?
Possibly. Record sealing addresses public access to the criminal record, while firearm-rights restoration addresses possession rights. Some people may benefit from both.
When should I speak with a lawyer?
Before possessing, purchasing, receiving, or attempting to acquire a firearm. Eligibility and the legal effect of any prior set-aside or restoration order should be confirmed first.
SPEAK WITH A FORMER JUDGE ABOUT ARIZONA FIREARM RIGHTS RESTORATION
Losing firearm rights after a felony conviction is not always permanent, but the correct remedy depends upon the exact conviction and applicable state and federal law.
Douglas W. Taylor, Sr. is a former Pima County judge with more than 25 years of criminal-law experience. Taylor Law Group, PLLC assists eligible clients with Arizona firearm-rights restoration, set-asides, record sealing, and related post-conviction matters.
Call (520) 440-5635 to set up your free consultation.
This page provides general information about Arizona firearm-rights restoration and estimated attorney fees. It is not legal advice, does not guarantee eligibility, restoration, timing, or a particular fee, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
