Guns

ATF Rule Changes Could Ease Restrictions for Gun Owners and Dealers

While not groundbreaking, the regulatory shifts offer some welcome relief.

J.D. Tuccille | 5.8.2026 7:00 AM

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(Illustration: Rosemary Buffoni/Dreamstime/Midjourney)

Government officials are always eager to bind us in red tape; it's rare that they cut the stuff. It's a special treat when an agency as obnoxious as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives rolls back any sort of restrictions, but that's what it's doing with regulatory revisions that will, overall, ease the burden of regulations on gun owners and firearms dealers. There's nothing groundbreaking in the proposed rules changes, but any relief is welcome relief.

You are reading The Rattler from J.D. Tuccille and Reason. Get more of J.D.'s commentary on government overreach and threats to everyday liberty.

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'The Second Amendment Is Not a Second-Class Right'

"The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is releasing this week 34 notices of final and proposed rulemaking following a comprehensive review of existing regulations conducted in accordance with Executive Order 14206, Protecting Second Amendment Rights," the DOJ announced last week.

"The Second Amendment is not a second-class right," commented Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "This Department of Justice is ending the weaponization of federal authority against law-abiding gun owners. We will continue to vigorously defend their rights as the Constitution demands."

The referenced executive order, from February 2025, directed the Attorney General to "examine all orders, regulations,........

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