72
Opinion of the Court
action by another entity. Second, both parts of § 925(c)'s standard for granting relief—whether an applicant is "likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety" and whether the relief is in the "public inter-est"—are policy-based determinations and, hence, point to ATF as the primary decisionmaker. Third, § 925(c) allows the admission of additional evidence in district court proceedings only in exceptional circumstances. Congressional assignment of such a circumscribed role to a district court shows that the statute contemplates that a court's determination will heavily rely on the record and the ATF's decision. Indeed, the very use in § 925(c) of the word "review" to describe a court's responsibility in this statutory scheme signifies that it cannot grant relief on its own, absent an antecedent actual denial by ATF. Pp. 74-78. 253 F. 3d 234, reversed.
Thomas, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.
Deputy Solicitor General Kneedler argued the cause for petitioners. With him on the briefs were Solicitor General Olson, Assistant Attorney General McCallum, Irving L. Gornstein, Mark B. Stern, and Thomas M. Bondy.
Thomas C. Goldstein argued the cause for respondent. With him on the brief were Larry C. Hunter and Amy Howe.*
Justice Thomas delivered the opinion of the Court. We consider in this case whether, despite appropriation provisions barring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) from acting on applications for relief from fire-arms disabilities of persons convicted of a felony, a federal district court has authority under 18 U. S. C. § 925(c) to grant such relief.
I
After attending a gun show in Laredo, Texas, respondent, Thomas Lamar Bean, a gun dealer, and his associates drove
*Craig Goldblatt and Mathew S. Nosanchuk filed a brief for the Violence Policy Center as amicus curiae urging reversal.
Briefs of amici curiae urging affirmance were filed for the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, Inc., by Richard E. Gardiner; and for the Second Amendment Foundation by William M. Gustavson.
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