The Biden administration has extended a rule that was supposed to be a temporary pause on licenses for gun exports to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security plans to publish an interim final rule on April 30, making it harder for American gun companies reliant on foreign exports to operate. The pause on export licenses for certain guns and ammunition was initially announced in October 2023, with the intention of reviewing policies that could increase the risk of firearms being diverted to illicit activities. The rule aims to better protect U.S. national security interests by preventing criminal organizations from acquiring American weapons.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that exporting military-style weapons to civilians in unstable countries is no longer allowed under the new review process. The rule also enacts a presumption of denial for firearms exports to NGOs in several countries. However, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives found that internationally traced and recovered firearms made up less than 1% of lawfully exported guns from the U.S. between 2016 and 2020.
Critics argue that the rule will only burden American gun companies with unnecessary regulations, leading to significant losses for the industry. Industry advocacy groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation have criticized the policy as an attack on the Constitutionally-protected gun industry. Americans will have 60 days to comment on the rule before it goes into effect. The Biden administration’s actions have been condemned by industry leaders as a way to cater to gun control donors.
