IIRC, under the Firearms owners Protection Act of 1986, a convicted felon who has his rights restored by the state may own firearms. The law passes over the BATFE as I understand it. It's confusing as to whether it was the Congress who refused to give the BATFE the money to restore people's rights ot if the BATFE was offered the money and they refused.
I've heard it both ways, but the one that sticks most with me is the BATFE refused the money. IIRC, it was written up on the American Rifleman.
Before the Gun Control Act of 1968, a felon had most, if not all of his rights back after paying off his debt to society. GCA 68 was Adolph Hitlers gun control law with the word felon substituted for Jew.
One can only hope that the Supreme Court does the right thing on the 2nd Amendment issue coming before them. Laws like GCA 68 should be repealed for the violations of the Constitution that they are.
Paul B.