WASHINGTON — Federal officials announced sweeping changes to firearms regulations Wednesday, marking a significant policy shift favored by Second Amendment advocates within President Donald Trump’s political coalition.
The timing drew sharp criticism from gun safety advocates, coming just days after authorities reported an armed individual attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner with intentions to harm the Republican president.
The comprehensive package includes more than 30 regulatory modifications, with the most notable being plans to eliminate a 2024 Biden-era requirement that would have mandated thousands of additional gun dealers nationwide to conduct background screenings for purchasers at gun shows and other venues beyond traditional storefronts.
The previous regulation targeted what critics termed the “gun show loophole,” which permitted unlicensed sellers to complete firearm transactions without verifying whether buyers were legally barred from gun ownership. Second Amendment organizations and GOP-controlled states had mounted legal challenges against the requirement, claiming it infringed on constitutional rights and exceeded Biden’s executive authority.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the regulatory overhaul as the “most comprehensive regulatory reform package in the history” of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Blanche explained the modifications align gun rules with Supreme Court decisions while reducing administrative obstacles for firearms retailers and legal gun purchasers.
“For too long, regulations were written without any real understanding of how firearms businesses operate, how lawful gun owners handle their firearms, or what truly improves public safety,” Blanche said.
Anti-gun violence organizations criticized the administration for prioritizing gun rights supporters through relaxed rules they believe will compromise national security.
“Four days after the nation watched gunfire break out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the Trump administration’s answer is to gut commonsense gun safety laws and sabotage the only federal agency dedicated to keeping guns out of criminal hands,” John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said in a statement.
The regulatory changes received approval shortly after the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Cekada, a veteran law enforcement professional, to head the ATF, the federal bureau tasked with enforcing America’s firearm statutes. Cekada, an ATF employee since 2005, has overseen the agency’s daily functions as deputy director for the past year.
Cekada becomes just the third confirmed director since Congress made the position subject to Senate approval in 2006. The bureau has predominantly operated under interim leadership, as both Republican and Democratic presidents have struggled to navigate the politically challenging confirmation process for ATF nominees.
While conservatives have historically criticized the ATF for its regulatory enforcement role, Trump’s Justice Department has emphasized the agency’s contributions to removing illegal weapons from communities and combating violent criminal activity.
“Rob is exactly the right person to lead the ATF at this moment,” Blanche said.
