Blanche, newly confirmed ATF head Cekada propose gun regulation rollbacks

[DonGlock26]

"WATCH: Blanche, newly confirmed ATF head Cekada propose gun regulation rollbacks​

Politics Apr 29, 2026 5:36 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Department officials moved Wednesday to roll back and modify a slate of gun regulations in a dramatic shift in firearm policy pushed by Second Amendment supporters in President Donald Trump's base.

Gun control activists slammed the moves as dangerous and irresponsible just days after authorities say a man armed with guns and knives tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and kill the Republican president.



Among the more that 30 changes announced Wednesday is the proposed repeal of a 2024 Biden administration rule that sought to force thousands more firearms dealers across U.S. to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores."

WATCH: Blanche, newly confirmed ATF head Cekada propose gun regulation rollbacks

Justice Department officials moved Wednesday to roll back and modify a slate of gun regulations in a dramatic shift in firearm policy pushed by Second Amendment supporters in President Donald Trump's base.

www.pbs.org

PBS appears to be triggered. Shall not be infringed use to mean something.

 

[JGalt]

"WATCH: Blanche, newly confirmed ATF head Cekada propose gun regulation rollbacks​

Politics Apr 29, 2026 5:36 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Department officials moved Wednesday to roll back and modify a slate of gun regulations in a dramatic shift in firearm policy pushed by Second Amendment supporters in President Donald Trump's base.

Gun control activists slammed the moves as dangerous and irresponsible just days after authorities say a man armed with guns and knives tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and kill the Republican president.



Among the more that 30 changes announced Wednesday is the proposed repeal of a 2024 Biden administration rule that sought to force thousands more firearms dealers across U.S. to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores."

WATCH: Blanche, newly confirmed ATF head Cekada propose gun regulation rollbacks

Justice Department officials moved Wednesday to roll back and modify a slate of gun regulations in a dramatic shift in firearm policy pushed by Second Amendment supporters in President Donald Trump's base.

www.pbs.org

PBS appears to be triggered. Shall not be infringed use to mean something.

I've never bought anything from a "firearms dealer" at a gun show because there are always "private sellers" and people walking in off the streets with guns to sell.

Work smarter, not harder I always say.

 

[1srelluc]

From ARFCOM:

Below is a comprehensive summary of the changes announced in the briefing.

1. Rescinding Major Rules (The "Big Two")
The ATF is formally proposing to rescind two of the most litigated rules of the previous three years:

The Stabilizing Brace Rule (2023): Citing multiple court rulings that found the rule violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the ATF is removing it from the books. Braced pistols will no longer be classified as Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs) under the NFA based solely on the attachment.

The "Engaged in the Business" Rule (2024): The ATF admitted this rule which expanded the definition of who must obtain an FFL "has not worked as intended." They are reverting to the specific definition codified by Congress in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, ending the attempt to regulate occasional private sales and hobbyist trades as "dealing."

2. Ending "Zero Tolerance" & Redefining Willfulness
One of the most significant shifts for the industry is the death of the "Zero Tolerance" policy.

Defining "Willfulness": The ATF will now formally define "willfulness" for the purposes of the Gun Control Act. This is designed to stop license revocations based on minor clerical errors, ensuring that only intentional, bad-faith violations lead to the loss of an FFL.

FFL Protections: A new Form 4473 is being designed to be "simpler and less apt at making paperwork errors," specifically to prevent the types of mistakes that triggered revocations under the previous administration.

3. Modernization & Record Keeping
The ATF is finally moving the industry into the digital age by codifying practices that previously required specific "variances."

Digital Storage: FFLs are now authorized to generate and store all records including Acquisition & Disposition (A&D) books and Form 4473s electronically.

Record Retention Reform: In a major privacy win, the ATF is proposing to end the "forever" record retention policy. All records (including those for out-of-business FFLs) will move to a defined term of years (to be finalized after public comment), rather than being held indefinitely by the ATF.

Form 4473 Updates: The form will now allow for auto-population of fields and digital file attachments to streamline the background check process and reduce administrative burdens.

4. National Firearms Act (NFA) Reforms
Supported by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," several "quality of life" changes are coming for NFA owners:

$0 Tax Stamp: Under the new legislation, the $200 transfer tax for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs has been eliminated (though registration and background checks remain).

Joint Registration for Spouses: The ATF will now recognize the ability of spouses to jointly register NFA items, legalizing "joint possession" within a household without the need for a legal trust.

Interstate Transport: New, simplified provisions will allow for the easier interstate transport of NFA items, particularly when moving between vehicles and airplanes.

5. Protecting Rights & Clarifying Definitions
The ATF is issuing "clarifying" regulations to protect specific groups from being accidentally or unfairly disarmed:

Veterans' Rights: New definitions for who is "adjudicated" for mental disability aim to prevent the automatic disarming of veterans who have a fiduciary to manage their benefits.

Unlawful Users: Clarifications are being made regarding the definition of "unlawful user of a controlled substance" to align with shifting state laws and judicial trends.

Straw Purchasers: A formal, clearer definition of a "straw purchaser" will be established to help law enforcement target actual traffickers rather than confused family members or gift-givers.

 

[1srelluc]

It also looks like the engraving requirement on "stamped" (NFA) SBRs and the like will be eliminated.

The wording is sort of FUBAR so I'll wait and see on that one.