Former President Donald Trump has taken another major step in reshaping federal firearms policy, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to conduct a comprehensive review of gun regulations implemented under the Biden administration.
This move signals a potential reversal of several key Biden-era reforms, including enhanced background checks for young buyers, expanded funding for red flag laws, and the closure of the so-called “boyfriend loophole” designed to prevent convicted domestic abusers from obtaining firearms.
Trump’s directive aligns with his long-standing support for Second Amendment rights, a position that played a significant role in his previous presidential campaigns. His administration previously rolled back gun control measures, including restrictions on firearm exports and Obama-era regulations concerning gun ownership for certain individuals with mental health conditions.
Now, with Bondi leading the Department of Justice, pro-gun advocates anticipate a significant shift in federal firearm policies, potentially undoing many of the restrictions put in place during Biden’s term.
Key Biden-Era Gun Reforms Under Review
Among the most notable policies now under scrutiny is the expanded background check requirement for buyers under 21. This measure, part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, aimed to close loopholes that allowed young adults to purchase guns without undergoing additional scrutiny.
The law mandated more extensive background checks, requiring authorities to review juvenile and mental health records before approving firearm sales to individuals under 21. Critics argued that this unfairly targeted young adults who have a constitutional right to bear arms, while supporters maintained that the regulation was necessary to prevent mass shootings and gun violence among younger demographics.
Another major point of contention is the increased federal funding for red flag laws, which allow authorities to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. These laws, implemented in multiple states, have sparked intense debate. Proponents argue they prevent suicides and mass shootings by ensuring that individuals experiencing crises do not have immediate access to firearms.
However, gun rights organizations, including the NRA and Gun Owners of America, have consistently opposed red flag laws, citing due process concerns. They argue that such laws allow for the confiscation of legally owned firearms based on accusations rather than concrete evidence, potentially violating citizens’ constitutional rights.
Additionally, the review includes a reconsideration of the boyfriend loophole provision, which expanded the definition of domestic abuser restrictions to include non-married partners. Prior to Biden’s reform, federal law only prohibited gun ownership for domestic abusers who were married to, cohabitating with, or had children with their victims.
The Biden administration expanded these restrictions to apply to dating partners convicted of domestic violence, arguing that non-married abusers pose an equal risk. Gun rights groups, however, contend that this law unfairly punishes individuals who may have been involved in contentious disputes without sufficient due process protections.
