President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) strikes a decisive blow against Biden-era gun control as the ATF dismantles the controversial “Zero Tolerance” policy that shuttered hundreds of gun dealers over paperwork violations.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration has officially ended the ATF’s “Zero Tolerance” policy that revoked licenses of gun dealers for minor infractions, resulting in 642 dealers losing their licenses.
- This repeal represents a significant Second Amendment victory championed by gun rights organizations, including Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting ATF and FBI Director Kash Patel led the policy reversal, fulfilling a Trump campaign promise to protect Second Amendment rights.
- DOGE is expected to recommend additional reforms to prevent the ATF from rewriting gun laws without congressional approval and eliminate Biden’s anti-gun bureaucracy.
- Gun rights advocates praise the move as a return to constitutional principles, while critics worry about reduced oversight of problematic dealers.
Trump Administration Dismantles Biden’s “Zero Tolerance” Gun Policy
The Department of Justice under President Trump has officially repealed the Federal Firearms Administrative Action Policy, commonly known as the “Zero Tolerance” policy. This Biden-era initiative, launched in June 2021, had targeted firearms dealers for violations ranging from paperwork errors to more serious infractions such as failing to conduct background checks. Since its implementation, the policy resulted in over 1,000 dealers being cited for violations, with 642 licenses either revoked or surrendered – a significant increase in enforcement actions compared to previous years.
“For years, the Zero Tolerance Policy has been a tool of political retribution, targeting gun stores and Americans who were simply trying to exercise their rights. We applaud President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Kash Patel for listening to gun owners and taking action to repeal this abusive policy. This is what pro-gun leadership looks like,” Erich Pratt.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which has vigorously opposed the policy since its inception, praised the decision, stating they had been “working with the Trump administration to secure this critical industry victory since the first day of the president’s second term.” Gun rights organizations consistently characterized the policy as “a blunt instrument to hobble the firearm industry” that punished dealers for “minor infractions” rather than focusing on actual criminal activity.
DOGE’s Role in Reshaping ATF Policies
President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is expected to play a pivotal role in further reforming the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Conservative advocacy groups have outlined several recommendations for DOGE to curtail what they view as ATF overreach, including preventing the bureau from rewriting gun control laws through regulatory actions – a power critics argue belongs exclusively to Congress under the Constitution.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re seeing a realignment toward the Constitution. This repeal and regulatory review of ATF’s “Zero Tolerance” Policy sends a clear message that the era of Biden gun control is over. GOA is grateful for the administration’s commitment to restoring Second Amendment rights and standing with law-abiding gun owners nationwide,” Aidan Johnston.
Additional proposed reforms include dismantling Biden’s White House “Office of Gun Violence Prevention,” ending the Department of Justice’s “red-flag” law clearinghouse, and revoking specific ATF rules on “frame or receiver” definitions, “engaged in the business” regulations, and arm-brace restrictions. The Trump administration is also being urged to lift the ban on importing semi-automatic long guns and to ensure the ATF’s National Tracing Center doesn’t create what critics fear could become a de facto gun owner registry.
Impact on Gun Dealers and Public Safety
While Second Amendment advocates celebrate this policy reversal as a victory for constitutional rights, critics express concern about potential public safety implications. Under the now-repealed policy, ATF increased its inspection activities, with examples of violations including dealers who failed to maintain proper records, sold firearms without licenses, or transferred guns without conducting mandatory background checks – practices that could potentially allow firearms to reach prohibited individuals.
However, supporters of the repeal point out that despite the increased enforcement actions, only a small percentage (approximately 0.14%) of Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) lost their licenses annually under the policy. Gun rights organizations maintain that the ATF should focus on pursuing actual criminals rather than burdening law-abiding gun dealers with excessive paperwork requirements that they characterize as bureaucratic overreach designed to reduce Americans’ access to firearms.
The Trump administration’s so-called DOGE agency is scrapping over 50 ATF rules, making it easier for gun traffickers and violent criminals to slip through the cracks. From Prince George’s County to every corner of the country, we need stronger enforcement—not weaker rules.… pic.twitter.com/Oz86CZ6zD2
— Rep. Glenn Ivey (@RepGlennIvey) June 27, 2025
Future of Second Amendment Protection Under Trump
The repeal of the “Zero Tolerance” policy represents just the beginning of President Trump’s promised agenda to strengthen Second Amendment protections. Gun rights groups that filed federal lawsuits against various ATF regulations during the Biden administration are now working closely with Trump officials to identify additional opportunities to roll back what they view as unconstitutional restrictions on firearms ownership and commerce.
“The mission of the ATF is to conduct investigations utilizing their unique expertise, partnerships, and intelligence to enhance public safety by enforcing the laws and regulations and upholding the Constitution of the United States of America,” DOJ.
With Attorney General Bondi and Acting Director Patel at the helm of the DOJ and ATF, respectively, Second Amendment advocates anticipate a fundamental shift in federal firearms enforcement philosophy – one that respects the rights of law-abiding gun owners and dealers while focusing enforcement resources on violent criminals. The administration’s supporters argue this approach will ultimately make federal law enforcement more efficient and effective, ensuring that constitutional rights are protected while still maintaining public safety.
