Weekly Spotlight 4/12/25 – 4/19/25
ATF Announces First Rollback of Biden-Era Gun Restrictions
Agency Action Follows President Trump’s Executive Order Calling For Investigation Into Former Administration’s Anti-Gun Policies
This past week the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced an agency-wide rollback of the so-called “Zero Tolerance Policy”, or Federal Firearms Administrative Action Policy, which was established by former President Joe Biden Administration. This policy targeted gun dealers for minor clerical errors in paperwork leading to overly harsh penalties such as license revocations and criminal charges.
The latest decision by the ATF marks their first rollback following President Trump’s Executive Order calling for a review of unconstitutional and overly-restrictive policies enacted by the Biden administration which in effect targeted law abiding gun owners simply trying to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
The so-called “Zero Tolerance Policy” had been backed by anti-gun lawmakers, increasing uncertainty among gun owners and dealers. By eliminating this dangerous policy, which is nothing more than a tool of political retaliation, the ATF under the new administration is making strides to protect law-abiding Americans and pave the way for them to more efficiently defend themselves.
This decision adds to a growing number of positive actions taken at the federal level and indicates just how serious the ATF and Trump Administration are in their efforts to protect and expand Americans’ Second Amendment rights. The announcement also comes on the heels of legislative action to protect the right to self-defense, including H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), would allow law-abiding gun owners with concealed carry permits in one state to carry their concealed firearms across state lines, provided they comply with the laws of the state they are entering. This legislation seeks to ensure that Americans’ constitutional rights are respected regardless of where they travel, creating a uniform standard for concealed carry across the country. The bill is yet another significant step in reinforcing the Second Amendment and ensuring that citizens have the ability to protect themselves no matter where they are.
The actions taken by the ATF this week to make Americans safer is a victory for all law abiding gun owners. Furthermore, the rollback of this policy reflects a shift toward the fundamental right of self-protection and reinforces the idea that law-abiding citizens should not face undue hardships in exercising their constitutional rights.
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OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Reuters: US Attorney General To Lead Justice Department Push On Gun Rights
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will lead a Justice Department effort to enforce gun rights protected under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to a memo seen by Reuters on Tuesday. The effort will use lawsuits and government policy to push back at attempts to limit gun rights, Bondi said in the memo.
Penn Live: My Ability To Defend Myself Shouldn’t End At The State Line | Opinion
Eleven years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom living in the outskirts of Philadelphia. My two young children utterly depended upon me because their father, who was working full time while getting his master’s degree, was rarely home. I knew that if something were to happen, I was the first responder in our home and I would need to protect myself and my children. That’s when I decided to get my concealed carry permit. … Thankfully, there is hope. A new bill in Congress, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38), would allow residents of one state who hold a concealed carry permit to take their firearm into another state that also legally allows concealed firearms. If the bill passes and President Donald Trump signs it as he’s promised, reciprocity would become the law in all 50 states, stitching together the patchwork of laws that currently obstruct citizens’ right to self-defense and too often make unwitting felons of responsible gun owners.
The Daily Mail: How Concealed Carry Could Soon Become Much Easier In Your State Under Trump
Gun laws around the nation may soon change in seismic fashion should a Republican concealed carry proposal wind up on Trump’s desk. National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rich Hudson, R-N.C., wants to make it easier for law-abiding gun owners to pack heat when crossing state lines, he told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. Hudson, 53, has proposed a bill to dramatically shake up the status-quo for obtaining a concealed carry licenses, which vary by state.
Gun News Daily (Colorado): Colorado Considers Stricter Assault Weapons Ban
Colorado lawmakers are advancing a proposed assault weapons ban targeting semi-automatic firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines. If enacted, this legislation would impose one of the most comprehensive firearm restrictions in the state’s history, affecting gun owners, dealers, and related businesses. Supporters argue that the ban is crucial for reducing gun violence and preventing mass shootings, pointing to the need for tighter controls on high-powered firearms
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