On Friday, September 4, 2026, President Donald J. Trump granted Patrick "Tate" Adamiak a full and unconditional pardon.

The grant covers every offense in United States v. Adamiak, case number 2:22-CR-47. Tate had served 1,414 days — a little over four years — of a 20-year federal sentence handed down for owning non-functional military relics and replicas. Sixteen years remained. He was released the same day from Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Virginia.

"The feeling of freedom is surreal. After four years on the inside, I've been free for less than an hour, and I'm still in shock."

— Patrick "Tate" Adamiak

Tate was not pardoned alone. President Trump also pardoned George Peterson, Russell Fincher, Shane Cox and Jeremy Kettler, all prosecuted under the National Firearms Act.

A White House spokesperson said the administration "stands for the Second Amendment and will not deny honorable veterans like Mr. Adamiak his constitutional rights," describing the prosecution as a "weaponization of government" and the trial as "riddled with errors."

What people are saying

"Tate Adamiak endured every gun owner's worst nightmare for more than four years. We are grateful he has finally received the pardon he deserves."

— Adam Kraut, Executive Director, Second Amendment Foundation

"We are thrilled that he is free. He did nothing wrong and broke no law."

— Alan M. Gottlieb, founder, Second Amendment Foundation

"I am very excited for Tate and couldn't be prouder to have played a small role in his getting home where he deserves to be."

— Calum Welch, defense attorney

What the pardon does and doesn't do

The pardon erases Tate's convictions. It does not return four years of his life, the Navy career he was building, the property the ATF still holds, or the more than $100,000 his family spent on his defense. It also does not come with any court ruling rejecting the ATF's theory of the case — that came from the President, not a judge.

Tate has said he intends to keep fighting: for accountability at the ATF and the Justice Department, for the return of his property, and, if it is possible, for reinstatement in the U.S. Navy.

Read the pardon document and the full coverage →