Trump Administration to Repeal Various Gun Control Measures

Trump Administration Set to Roll Back Biden-Era Gun Control Measures

In a significant shift in federal firearms policy, the Trump administration is anticipated to reverse a series of gun control measures instituted during the Biden presidency. This decision comes amidst growing pressure from gun rights advocates and signals a potential end to stricter regulations aimed at ensuring safety in gun sales and ownership.

Sources familiar with the administration’s plans state that Attorney General Pam Bondi is likely to announce the rollback of a "zero tolerance" policy regarding federally licensed gun dealers. This policy, enacted four years ago, imposed severe penalties on dealers who repeatedly violated federal laws, including maintaining accurate business records and conducting background checks on customers. The impending changes indicate a clear prioritization of gun rights over regulatory enforcement.

As part of this initiative, Bondi is expected to direct Kash Patel, currently acting as both the F.B.I. Director and the interim chief of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to review two significant Biden-era regulations. One of these regulations includes a ban on "pistol braces," devices that modify handguns to operate like rifles. The second rule under scrutiny mandates background checks for private gun sales, which has been contentious among gun rights groups.

The timing of these actions emerges amid a period of instability within the ATF, which is facing operational challenges due to a lack of leadership and reduced personnel. Many agents have reportedly been reassigned to support immigration enforcement initiatives, leaving the ATF somewhat leaderless at a crucial time for firearms regulation. In addition, the Justice Department’s proposal to merge the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has further contributed to a climate of uncertainty within the agency.

This proposed rollback of gun regulations aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises to ease restrictions on firearms. Earlier this year, he signed an executive order mandating the Justice Department to examine federal orders and regulations to identify any actions that could infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. This emphasis on gun rights resonates strongly with a segment of the electorate that supports minimal regulation.

In March, Attorney General Bondi took additional steps to highlight the administration’s focus on gun rights by launching an investigation into potential infringements on Second Amendment rights by officials in Los Angeles County. This investigation repurposes an existing civil rights unit that has historically targeted issues like racial discrimination and police brutality.

While these three actions are seen as more than mere symbolic gestures, experts believe that their immediate impact may be limited. The enforcement of the zero-tolerance policy had already begun to weaken since Trump’s election, and judicial interventions have resulted in freezing parts of the regulations concerning pistol braces and background checks for private sales. This judicial resistance suggests that even if the administration successfully implements its rollback, challenges may arise in enforcement.

Critics of the proposed policy changes warn that this shift represents a marked departure from efforts by the previous administration to address rising gun violence and mass shootings, which have surged in recent years. Notably, former ATF director Steven M. Dettelbach spearheaded initiatives aimed at curbing the proliferation of unregulated semiautomatic firearms, which have been linked to an increase in violent crime, notably after the COVID-19 pandemic.

John Feinblatt, the president of Everytown for Gun Safety, a prominent gun safety organization founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, expressed concern over the administration’s decision. He pointed out that the Biden administration had inherited a historically low violent crime rate, and within just a few months, it is now seeking to dismantle effective gun safety policies designed to protect communities.

Similarly, Emma Brown, executive director of the gun safety organization Giffords, criticized Trump’s actions, accusing him of endorsing "reckless dealers" who facilitate firearms access to traffickers and criminals. Such views reflect a growing fear that loosening gun regulations could endanger public safety.

Conversely, gun owners and firearm manufacturers have welcomed the anticipated changes. Lawrence G. Keane, general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, claimed that the Biden administration had severely constrained the firearm industry, accusing it of creating burdensome regulations that threatened small businesses with crippling fines for minor infractions.

As the Trump administration prepares to enact these policy reversals, the national discourse on firearms regulation continues to be deeply polarized, with strong advocacy from both sides regarding the balance between gun rights and safety concerns. In an environment where opinions are highly divided, the forthcoming actions are expected to reignite the debate over gun control and its implications for American society.