Trump Administration Announces Moves to Sharply Curtail Gun Regulations
The Trump administration on Wednesday introduced a sweeping rollback of gun laws, prompting criticism from gun management advocates who referred to as the strikes misguided and harmful.
“Nothing we are doing today weakens law enforcement,” the appearing legal professional common, Todd Blanche, mentioned at a information convention the place he described 34 deliberate adjustments in federal gun laws. He additionally welcomed the newly confirmed director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Robert Cekada.
The adjustments embody rescinding a 2024 regulation from the Biden administration that sought to finish what gun management advocates name the “gun show loophole.” That exemption allowed unlicensed sellers to promote firearms with out performing a background test to see if the potential purchaser was prohibited by legislation from proudly owning a gun.
The administration additionally plans to rescind a 2023 rule that restricted pistol braces, an attachment that permits the shooter to maintain the weapon towards their shoulder like a rifle. A federal courtroom had already struck down that rule.
The adjustments are in step with the administration’s promise to curtail gun regulation. In February 2025, President Trump signed an govt order telling the Justice Department “to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights of our citizens.” In December, the division established a piece of the civil rights division targeted on gun rights.
John Feinblatt, the president of Everytown for Gun Safety, described the Justice Department’s strikes on Wednesday, citing the gunman who tried to breach a black-tie gala on the Washington Hilton over the weekend as a purpose for extra stringent laws.
“Four days after the nation watched gunfire break out at the White House correspondents’ dinner, the Trump administration’s response is to gut common-sense gun safety laws and sabotage the only federal agency dedicated to keeping guns out of criminal hands,” Mr. Feinblatt mentioned in a press release.
Mr. Blanche insisted that shedding such laws posed no new security dangers for legislation enforcement or public security, and had been in step with the Trump administration’s pledge to shield Second Amendment rights. He mentioned extra adjustments would comply with.
Mr. Cekada is barely the third individual to acquire affirmation to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the reason that place started requiring Senate approval in 2006. He has labored on the company for greater than 20 years, ascending to deputy director in April 2025, the place he basically oversaw its day-to-day operations.
