The U.S. Department of Justice has repealed a Biden-era "zero tolerance" policy that mandated the revocation of licenses for gun dealers who willfully committed serious violations, including failing to conduct background checks. The reversal was reportedly praised by conservative groups like Gun Owners of America even before any official announcement.
This policy rollback follows President Donald Trump's directive to review all firearm regulations implemented under former President Joe Biden. Kash Patel, currently serving as both FBI Director and acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), claimed during a Gun Owners of America meeting that the previous ATF leadership aimed to infringe on Second Amendment rights—a claim that has been widely disputed.
The now-repealed policy was introduced to hold firearm dealers accountable for violations such as selling guns to prohibited buyers, falsifying records, or failing to assist law enforcement with gun tracing efforts. Gun control advocates, including the Giffords group, argue the rule was critical in combating illegal gun trafficking and straw purchasing.
However, critics from the firearms industry contended the policy was overly punitive. Lawrence G. Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation called the rule “reckless,” claiming it led to unnecessary shutdowns of law-abiding businesses over minor infractions.
Gun rights groups like Gun Owners of America continue to push for broader deregulation, including abolishing the ATF and erasing firearm sales records. Meanwhile, Giffords’ executive director Emma Brown warned the repeal could lead to higher crime rates, stating that reinstating dealers who break the law "will increase crime."
The policy shift highlights deepening divisions between gun rights and gun control advocates, with potential implications for firearm regulations and public safety nationwide.