Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Trump Administration Completes Pro-Gun Regulatory Reform

Monday, February 3, 2020

Trump Administration Completes Pro-Gun Regulatory Reform

Thanks to President Trump, small businesses and individual gun owners will no longer suffer the longstanding roadblocks imposed by America’s Cold War-era “export” regime for firearms, ammunition, and related accessories. The chronology of this transformation—and its relevance to Second Amendment rights—warrants some attention.

As with most bureaucratic endeavors, America’s export rules were built upon professions of good intent; our country wished to protect its most sensitive military technology from falling into enemy hands. But the export rules themselves ignored the overlap that naturally exists when goods are capable of both military and non-military uses. Radar systems, for example, are commonly utilized by civilian and military vessels. Another obvious example: firearms and ammunition. Items that were capable of dual use (i.e., military and non-military use) were therefore termed “dual-use” items by export control professionals. This should have been simple enough. Unfortunately, the bureaucratic hostility toward firearms and ammunition soon crept in.

Because most household items could—at least theoretically—be stretched to resemble something with military potential, the export law slapped the strictest regulations and oversight onto inherently military equipment. By limiting bureaucracy’s reach to warfighting equipment, politicians reassured American industry of its continued dominance in foreign markets, free of overly burdensome red-tape. Export oversight of these items was ultimately delegated to 2 departments: the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Commerce Department.

The U.S. State Department was tasked with administering the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), where regulated items were itemized on the U.S. Munitions List (USML). Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department used the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to regulate items via the agency’s Commerce Control List (CCL).

Although regulated items on the USML were reportedly pared-down to those that “provide the United States with a critical military or intelligence advantage” or, in the case of weapons “are inherently for military end use,” the government increasingly restricted whatever made the USML list. One official described it as building “a taller fence around a smaller yard.”

Compliance became a veritable minefield. Any business hoping to manufacture the most basic component of an item on the USML was forced to register with the State Department and pay a $2,250 annual fee. These regulatory burdens soon fell upon every small business making firearm components; making small springs and screws for guns exposed your business to heavy regulation, regardless of whether you actually exported anything outside the U.S. As the costs of regulatory compliance climbed, so did prices.

The problems for American gun owners only increased when the Obama administration folded gunsmithing into its regulatory definition of “manufacturing.” This maneuver triggered State Department registration for those performing common gunsmithing operations on existing firearms. Because many gunsmiths could not afford ITAR’s registration and compliance costs, the result was not only foreseeable, but intentional: many gunsmiths and gunsmithing schools were quickly driven out of business.

As the USML’s scope extended beyond physical items and onto “technical data” about items, the government began to regulate blueprints, diagrams, and service manuals. The State Department also began treating the online publication of such information as the equivalent of an “export” requiring prior approval. Before too long—and unconcerned by the Constitutional implications—the State Department was threatening to flex ITAR jurisdiction over everyone who dared to “publish” a parts diagram or handloading formula online.

The Trump administration reforms are poised to finally relieve these bureaucratic pressures. Most firearms and ammunition, as well as their parts, components and accessories, would now be managed under the business-friendly CCL instead of the oppressive USML. The aforementioned problems for non-exporting manufacturers, gunsmiths, and those who publish technical data about such items on the web would no longer exist. In the absence of such weights, America’s exporting manufacturers are free to run more competitively among the global markets.

When it comes to the business of firearms, America’s regulatory approach is finally returning to its baseline commitment: American security. Exports will continue to require licenses and multi-agency review to safeguard against harm, alongside compliance with importing country’s laws. Regulations that favored unscrupulous overseas competitors weren’t what America needed—our security interests are much better served when foreign arms sales are handled by U.S. companies possessing an unrivaled record of compliance, transparency and freedom to perform at their best.

With export reform, President Trump has provided yet another win for Second Amendment advocates.

TRENDING NOW
New York State Police Advocate: Governor’s Gun Seizure Mandate is Hindering Crime Fighting

News  

Monday, May 22, 2023

New York State Police Advocate: Governor’s Gun Seizure Mandate is Hindering Crime Fighting

Proponents of so-called “red flag” laws like to claim they are a “public safety” measure. But a union representing state police investigators in New York is sounding the alarm that a mandate handed down by ...

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Advances Pistol Brace Resolution

News  

Monday, April 24, 2023

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Advances Pistol Brace Resolution

On April 19, the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted 23-15 to advance H.J.Res.44, which would reign in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ attempt to regulate pistol stabilizing braces. The resolution employs ...

New San Francisco Law Would Prohibit Intimidating Crooks by Drawing Weapons

News  

Monday, May 22, 2023

New San Francisco Law Would Prohibit Intimidating Crooks by Drawing Weapons

Comedian Dave Chappelle visited San Francisco last week to perform. “What the f—k happened to this place?” he asked, declaring that the whole city has morphed into its infamous Tenderloin district. “Y’all … need a Batman!” 

Louisiana House Passes Constitutional Carry

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Louisiana House Passes Constitutional Carry

Last week, the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee held their “Gun Day,” where multiple pro-gun bills passed out of committee and the lone anti-gun measure was involuntarily deferred. Your active participation was crucial to protecting and ...

Updates to ATF Final Rule on Stabilizing Braces

News  

Monday, January 30, 2023

Updates to ATF Final Rule on Stabilizing Braces

On Monday, January 30, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) published the final Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached “Stabilizing Braces” rule for public inspection in the federal register.

Connecticut:  Gun Control Legislation Nearing House Vote

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Connecticut: Gun Control Legislation Nearing House Vote

Gun banners in Hartford have been busy all session cooking up a concoction of more gun control.  In a state where there is already a large buffet of gun laws, it’s time for Connecticut gun ...

South Carolina Final Constitutional Carry Vote Soon - Contact Your Senator Today!

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

South Carolina Final Constitutional Carry Vote Soon - Contact Your Senator Today!

Senate Bill 109/House Bill 3594, NRA-backed constitutional carry bills, could be up for a Senate floor vote as early as this week. Your active participation has been pivotal in safeguarding and upholding our fundamental right to ...

No. Obama and Other Gun Controllers Don’t Want to Treat Guns Like Cars

News  

Monday, May 22, 2023

No. Obama and Other Gun Controllers Don’t Want to Treat Guns Like Cars

Always one for lame platitudes, last week Barack Obama suggested that gun control has become too politicized and that firearms should be regulated like motor vehicles. Speaking with CBS Mornings, the former president offered something of a ...

US Senator Tries to Undermine Branch of Government Intended as a Check on HIS Branch of Government

News  

Monday, May 22, 2023

US Senator Tries to Undermine Branch of Government Intended as a Check on HIS Branch of Government

As anyone who has an elementary school level education understands, our Founders established our federal government to have three branches—the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary—each designed with their own duties, and also designed to act as ...

California: Numerous Anti-Gun Bills Eligible for Floor Votes

Friday, May 19, 2023

California: Numerous Anti-Gun Bills Eligible for Floor Votes

Yesterday, the Appropriations Committees of both chambers approved a number of anti-gun bills on their suspense files and they will soon be eligible for floor votes in their respective chambers.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.