Attorney General Bondi’s New Mission: Unraveling Biden’s Second Amendment Policies

Guns and the US flag

President Trump’s executive order on Second Amendment rights targets Biden-era policies as states uphold firearm restrictions.

Quick Takes

  • Trump’s executive order targets rollback of Biden-era gun reforms.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi leads review of potential Second Amendment infringements.
  • The NRA supports the order, while gun reform advocates warn of potential increased risks.
  • The order directly impacts ghost guns, expanded background checks, and ATF enforcement.

Trump’s Executive Order Targets Gun Regulations

President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the Second Amendment by issuing an executive order to reverse various Biden-era gun reforms. These policies, implemented from January 2021 to January 2025, included regulations on ghost guns, expanded background checks, and increased oversight of gun dealers. By appointing Attorney General Pam Bondi to scrutinize these measures, the administration aims to dismantle policies deemed unconstitutional. The NRA has endorsed this initiative, citing it as a fulfillment of promises to gun owners.

Critics argue that the Biden administration’s policies do not infringe upon Second Amendment rights and have contributed to reductions in gun homicide rates. The NRA’s endorsement of Trump’s executive order reflects their belief that the former administration’s policies unfairly targeted law-abiding gun owners. The Biden Administration criticized it, labeling the enforcement as “zero tolerance,” a move some argue went too far and unjustly affected gun owners and businesses.

Attorney General’s Responsibility

Pam Bondi has been tasked with reviewing presidential and agency actions, which include DOJ and ATF rulemakings, White House gun violence policies, legal stances in litigation, and firearm classification policies. Her mission: “examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights of our citizens.” With these directives, changes in ATF enforcement priorities could significantly alter the landscape for gun rights and corresponding litigation across the U.S.

This review may explore revising the ATF’s pistol brace rule, Frame or Receiver rules, “Zero Tolerance Policy,” and rules surrounding those “Engaged in the Business.” A critical aspect of Bondi’s task will be analyzing whether the DOJ should stay proceedings in ongoing civil and criminal cases as they adjust to the new firearms policy paradigm.

Context of the Legal Landscape

The Supreme Court has declined recent appeals to invalidate state-level firearms bans. This strategic oversight in federal appeals suggests a level of respect for state decisions on firearm regulations. Additionally, as the case against Smith & Wesson for alleged gun trafficking progresses, gun rights advocates will closely monitor its implications as they cast long shadows over Trump’s hanging efforts to preserve Second Amendment rights as addressed in his executive order.

While the intentions behind Trump’s order may seem commendable from a Second Amendment perspective, this backdrop cements its complexity and potential far-reaching impacts. As litigation progresses and policies reshape, this executive order will likely remain a focal point for debate regarding the balance of public safety and constitutional rights.

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