The Trump administration repealed three anti-Second Amendment regulations, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Wednesday.
Blanche revealed during a press conference that at least 34 rule changes would be published by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), including repeal of the “stabilizing brace” and “Definition of ‘Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms” rules imposed by the Biden administration, as well as altering a third regulation that the Biden administration used to target so-called “bump stocks.” Blanche told reporters that the changes were intended to improve enforcement while also complying with a February 2025 executive order issued by President Donald Trump.
“For too long, regulations were written without any real understanding of how firearms businesses operate, how lawful gun owners actually handle their firearms or what truly improves public safety,” Blanche said. “Nothing we are doing today weakens law enforcement. We are not taking tools away from the people, the men and women who go after violent criminals. This administration, as it always has, remains fully committed to targeting those who break the law, gang members, repeat offenders, traffickers, and cartels.”
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“We will, as we always have done, continue to follow the evidence, continue to aggressively prosecute violent crime,” Blanche continued. “If anything, what we’re doing today will actually help law enforcement because clearer rules mean better compliance and better compliance means better enforcement.”
The “pistol brace rule” rule redefined “rifle” to mean any weapon “designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder.” In order to comply with the new regulation, owners of braced pistols were required to either modify the barrel so that it exceeds 16 inches in length, submit the appropriate form and pay a $200 tax to designate the firearm as a short-barreled rifle (SBR), remove the brace, or surrender or destroy the firearm.
The “Definition of ‘Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms” rule was issued in April 2024, potentially making any private sale of firearms for a profit illegal. A federal judge blocked the rule in June 2024.
The proposed re-definition of “machine gun” comes almost two years after the Supreme Court struck down a Trump administration rule banning so-called “bump stocks” in a 6-3 decision. The changes drew praise from Second Amendment supporters.
“Today’s announcement of this historic DOJ-ATF rule package by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and newly confirmed ATF Director Rob Cekada represents a monumental step forward in restoring and protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. Under President Trump’s leadership and Executive Order 14206, we are finally rolling back decades of burdensome regulations that have done nothing to enhance public safety while infringing on our constitutional freedoms,” John Commerford, NRA-ILA executive director, said in a statement released after the press conference. “The NRA applauds Acting AG Blanche and the entire Administration for delivering on their promise to prioritize the rights of gun owners. This is real progress toward ensuring that Americans can exercise their God-given right to keep and bear arms without unnecessary government interference.”
Trump’s order directed then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to focus on orders issued by the Biden administration, which expressed hostility toward gun owners.
“Today is a day of celebration for lawful gun owners and the gun industry. The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and I’m glad the Trump Administration agrees,” Republican Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said in a release sent after the announcement. “I will continue to defend our Second Amendment rights as Montana Attorney General.”
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