Trump Administration to Repeal Various Gun Control Measures

The Trump administration is preparing to reverse a series of gun control measures implemented during the Biden era, marking a significant shift in federal firearms policy. According to sources briefed on the situation, this rollback will include the dissolution of a program aimed at penalizing federally licensed gun dealers who falsify records and bypass mandatory background checks.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, responding to considerable pressure from gun rights advocates, is expected to announce plans to end the “zero tolerance” policy established four years ago. This policy enforced strict repercussions on firearms dealers found to be repeatedly violating federal laws and regulations by revoking their federal licenses. This decision signals a clear alignment with pro-gun interests, reflecting a broader agenda that prioritizes gun rights over regulatory measures.

Additionally, Bondi plans to instruct Kash Patel, the FBI director who is also functioning as the interim head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to review two significant policies introduced under the Biden administration. These policies include a prohibition on pistol braces, devices that enable handguns to perform similarly to rifles, and a regulation mandating background checks on private firearm sales. The potential reversal of these policies comes in a context where the ATF is reportedly dealing with internal chaos and under-resourcing, as some of its personnel have been redirected to assist with immigration enforcement operations across the nation.

President Trump, during his campaign, emphasized a commitment to reducing gun regulations, which has been a hallmark of his administration’s stance on Second Amendment rights. As part of this commitment, he signed an executive order in February calling on the Justice Department to review existing orders, regulations, and other actions to identify any ongoing violations of citizens’ right to bear arms. The administration’s approach signals a departure from the Biden administration’s efforts to regulate the sale of firearms in response to escalating gun violence.

In late March, Attorney General Bondi instructed the civil rights division of the Justice Department to launch an investigation into potential infringements of Second Amendment rights by officials in Los Angeles County. This investigative effort marks a shift in focus, repurposing resources that were previously dedicated to addressing issues such as racial discrimination and police brutality.

Despite the significance of these announcements, experts suggest that the immediate impact of the new policies may be limited. Enforcement of the zero-tolerance policy had already begun to decline after Trump assumed office, and federal judges have issued freezes on parts of the rules regarding both pistol braces and background checks for private sales of firearms. Therefore, while these actions represent a notable policy shift, their immediate effectiveness could be mitigated by existing legal challenges.

The reversal of these measures represents a stark contrast to the Biden administration’s strategies, which were led by former ATF director Steven M. Dettelbach. His tenure focused on addressing the unregulated proliferation of semiautomatic rifles and handguns that have fueled mass shootings and contributed to a surge in violent crime, a trend that became particularly pronounced following the COVID-19 pandemic.

In reaction to the upcoming changes, gun control advocates expressed concern over the implications for public safety. John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, cited the drastic switch in policy after inheriting a historically low violent crime rate, criticizing the administration’s decision to relax gun safety measures that he claims are critical for community protection. Similarly, Emma Brown, executive director of Giffords, accused Trump of endorsing irresponsible dealers who facilitate illegal gun sales to traffickers and criminals.

Conversely, the impending changes have been lauded by gun owners and manufacturers. Lawrence G. Keane, general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation—representing firearms manufacturers—praised the administration’s decision. He argued that the previous Biden administration’s policies severely restricted the firearm industry, posed burdens on small businesses, and discouraged operational viability due to oppressive administrative costs stemming from minor regulatory infractions.

As the Trump administration moves forward with these anticipated changes, the broader implications for gun control advocacy, public safety, and the political landscape surrounding Second Amendment rights remain to be seen. The potential resurgence of more lenient gun regulations is likely to intensify the ongoing debate between gun rights supporters and advocates for firearm regulation.