Trump’s DOJ and ATF Push “Landmark” Gun Rules That Strip Biden’s Enforcement and Shield Industry

The Trump Justice Department and ATF are set to unveil a sweeping set of gun regulation changes this week, promising to “protect” Second Amendment rights by rolling back Biden administration policies. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and acting ATF Director Robert Cekada will announce the package, which caps off a regulatory review ordered by Trump’s Executive Order 14206, signed in February 2025.

Trump’s executive order framed Biden’s gun policies as a “violation” of Americans’ right to bear arms and demanded a plan to “eliminate all infringements” on that right. The order also created a “Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force” under then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and reverse Biden’s firearms regulations.

The Trump administration accuses Biden of weaponizing the ATF against small business owners, citing a nearly six-fold increase in enforcement actions against Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) under Biden’s “zero tolerance” policy. Many of these businesses, described as “mom-and-pop” shops, faced penalties for minor paperwork errors. Firearms manufacturers reportedly faced banking restrictions and service denials tied to their industry.

Among Trump’s immediate actions was pulling the U.S. out of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, which he claimed threatened American gun rights through global regulation. The DOJ also narrowed the definition of “fugitive from justice” to limit who can be barred from purchasing firearms.

During his first term, Trump declared the firearms industry “essential,” preventing closures of gun stores and ranges during the pandemic, a move applauded by gun rights advocates but criticized for public health risks.

This week’s announcement coincides with the Senate’s bipartisan cloture vote on Robert Cekada’s nomination as ATF director, signaling strong Republican and some Democratic support for the administration’s gun agenda.

This regulatory package marks another step in the Trump administration’s aggressive push to dismantle Biden’s gun control efforts, prioritizing industry interests and loosening oversight at a time when gun violence remains a critical national crisis. Critics warn that these rollbacks could further endanger public safety by weakening enforcement against illegal firearms and reducing accountability for manufacturers and dealers.