SAN DIEGO â€"  California's ex-congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham is seeking the right to carry a gun after his anticipated release from federal prison this December. 

U-T San Diego reports Saturday Cunningham made the plea in a letter to a federal judge earlier this month. 

Cunningham pleaded guilty in 2005 to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors in exchange for using his House appropriations position to steer government contracts to them. 

As a felon, he's not allowed to carry a gun. 

The now-70-year-old Cunningham wrote that he plans to live with his brother and mother in rural Arkansas after his prison release. He said he wants to restore his gun rights so he can hunt and compete in sport shooting contests. 

The judge replied that he had no power to help Cunningham.