Administration Moves Against Gun Regulations

Gun rules put in place after a string of mass shootings are being rapidly dismantled under President Trump—who campaigned on protecting access to weapons—with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives moving to roll back more than three dozen regulations. The changes weaken a zero-tolerance policy for gun dealers who break the law, reopen what opponents call the gun show loophole, end extra scrutiny of stabilizing braces, and restore firearm access to some people with certain mental health histories and financial guardianships. Federal agencies are also shifting, the New York Times reports: Veterans Affairs has eased reporting of veterans to the FBI's background check system, and the Postal Service is considering whether to let handguns be shipped through the mail.

The administration frames the effort as a correction to Biden-era overreach. A White House official says the moves reflect Trump's promise to protect Second Amendment rights and undo rules imposed "through the back door" of regulation. Gun industry groups welcome what they describe as needed clarity, while gun control advocates and former ATF officials warn the pullback will undercut enforcement and elevate the risk of gun violence. Even the ATF's own cost analyses acknowledge the potential for mass casualty events and a "considerable" drop in license revocations under the new standards. New laws are included in the administration's effort: The Justice Department sued California and Virginia last week over legislation curbing the sale of semiautomatic firearms, per the AP.

A warning published in April about the change affecting those kept from having a gun for mental health reasons was straightforward, per the Washington Post: "This risk may be minimal, or may be considerably greater (up to and including potential mass casualty events), based upon the strength of state and federal processes regarding guardianship and involuntary commitment." A gun control advocate was critical of the changes underway. "ATF's admission that these policy changes could result in mass casualties is a slap in the face to every American who checks for the exits every time they walk into a movie theater, mall or house of worship," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.