Justice Department Eyes Major Rollback of Federal Gun Laws

The Justice Department is preparing a series of changes that would loosen several federal gun regulations, according to people familiar with the plans who spoke to the Washington Post. The effort is intended to bolster support among gun-rights advocates, though it could trigger legal challenges and political pushback.

Officials are considering easing restrictions on private firearm sales, loosening rules governing the shipment of guns, broadening the categories of firearms eligible for import, and allowing refunds for certain federal licensing fees. The department is also planning to revise the standard firearm purchase form to require buyers to list their sex assigned at birth rather than simply “sex.” The proposals are still under development, and the timing of a formal announcement remains unclear.

Within the department, the initiative reflects a broader push to satisfy a key part of President Trump’s political base, some of whom argue the administration has not gone far enough to roll back gun regulations. The effort comes despite warnings from law-enforcement leaders about the consequences of weakening the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The administration has already proposed eliminating roughly 5,000 ATF law enforcement positions and revising or repealing dozens of existing firearms rules.

The regulatory changes are unfolding in a highly contentious environment. Any revisions to ATF rules, which rely on the agency’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress, are expected to face court challenges. Some Justice Department officials are also concerned that aggressive deregulation could complicate Senate confirmation of a new ATF director by alienating moderate Republicans.

Personnel changes at the department reflect the same shift. Attorney General Pam Bondi has supported the nomination of longtime ATF official Robert Cekada to lead the bureau, despite criticism from some gun-rights activists who favored a more outspoken advocate. Bondi also replaced the agency’s longtime general counsel with Robert Leider, a political appointee who has argued that ATF overregulates firearms and is now leading efforts to scale back rules and simplify the federal Form 4473.

At the Civil Rights Division, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon has established a new Second Amendment section, which quickly challenged Washington, D.C.’s assault weapons ban. The move has prompted Senate Democrats to question the legality and purpose of the new unit.

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