In a move that has stirred widespread concern among gun safety advocates and lawmakers, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration appears to be quietly advancing major changes to federal gun policy—changes heavily influenced by the gun industry’s interests. Confirmed by reports from NPR, CNN, and the Center for American Progress, these proposed reforms could significantly loosen regulations, potentially reversing decades of progress in gun control and firearm safety.
According to sources, the DOJ is finalizing approximately 30 policy modifications, many of which align directly with the firearms industry’s wishlist. Notably, the Trump-era DOJ is working to streamline the process of returning guns to individuals convicted of crimes and is contemplating re-legalizing the very device used in the deadly 2021 Boulder mass shooting, which claimed ten lives. This sharp shift in policy has alarmed gun violence experts and safety advocates alike.
One of the most controversial proposals involves removing the requirement for background checks when private sellers transfer firearms. This rollback would make it easier for banned individuals to acquire guns without scrutiny, potentially increasing access among prohibited persons. The other significant change is the administration’s plan to lift the federal ban on pistol stabilizing braces—devices that allow handguns to be fired more like rifles, and which were used in the Boulder shooting to cause increased damage and lethality.
Adding to the controversy, the DOJ recently announced a proposal to revive a dormant program designed to restore gun rights to individuals convicted of certain crimes. While framing this as an effort to end “disenfranchisement,” critics argue it effectively creates a pathway for convicted felons to legally regain access to firearms—a move that contradicts ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence.
The official justification for these policy shifts is rooted in the Second Amendment,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at a recent press conference, “The Second Amendment will never be treated as a second-class right.” However, many experts and advocacy groups see these changes as being driven more by industry profits than by public safety.
Indeed, the timing and nature of these reforms suggest a clear alignment with the interests of the gun lobby. The NRA has called it “the golden age for the Second Amendment,” immediately praising the move. Meanwhile, critics point out that every rollback benefits the gun industry financially—each removed restriction or skipped background check means more sales.
What is profoundly disturbing, some analysts say, is that in the process of deregulatory moves, the DOJ is dismantling effective measures that have contributed to a decline in gun violence over recent years. While violent crime has fallen, these proposed policies risk undoing many of those safety gains—paving the way for increased access for dangerous individuals and perpetuating a cycle of gun-related tragedies.
As the political landscape heats up, what remains clear is that these policy changes exemplify a troubling priority shift from public safety to industry profits—unfolding behind the scenes with potentially devastating consequences for communities across America.
