Trump plans rollback of regulations on ‘ghost guns,’ background checks

• President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, Feb. 7, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and potentially roll back Biden-era gun control policies, including ghost gun regulations and expanded background checks. The order aims to assess whether these measures infringe on Second Amendment rights and recommend actions within 30 days.
• The review targets several key policies, including stricter oversight of gun dealers, the closure of the gun show loophole and the Justice Department’s legal defense of Biden’s firearm restrictions.
• Gun rights advocates praised the move, while gun control groups warned that reversing these policies could undermine public safety and undo progress in reducing gun violence.

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday, Feb. 7, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to review and potentially roll back gun control measures implemented by the Biden administration. The move targets regulations on ghost guns, expanded background checks and gun dealer oversight, drawing sharp reactions from both gun rights advocates and reform groups.

What does Trump’s executive order do?

Trump’s order instructs Bondi to assess whether Biden’s gun policies infringe on Second Amendment rights and present a plan of action within 30 days. The review includes seven key areas, such as background check expansions, gun dealer regulations and the Justice Department’s legal defense of Biden-era firearm restrictions.

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Why are gun rights groups supporting this move?

“Promises made to law-abiding gun owners are being kept by President Donald J. Trump,” National Rifle Association CEO Doug Hamlin said in a statement. “NRA members were instrumental in securing his victory, and he is proving worthy of their votes.”

Gun rights advocates, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation, have long criticized Biden’s gun policies, arguing they unfairly restrict law-abiding gun owners while doing little to curb crime.

Why are gun control advocates concerned?

Gun control groups immediately condemned the order, warning that undoing Biden’s policies could reverse recent declines in gun homicides.

“They were perfectly in line with Second Amendment rights, and we’re hoping that at the end of this review, there might be some restraint and objectivity,” said Mark Collins, national policy director for Brady, a nonprofit advocating for gun control. “Maybe they’re planning to roll back everything, which is a really bad idea, especially considering that we just went through the sharpest drop in gun homicides in modern American history.”

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a gun violence survivor and reform advocate, also criticized the order, saying it prioritizes gun industry profits over public safety.

“The president’s priority should be to build on the lifesaving progress made over the last four years,” Giffords said, “not boost profits for gun company CEOs.”

Which specific Biden policies are under review?

Trump’s executive order targets several high-profile gun control measures, including:

• Ghost gun regulations – Biden required serial numbers on DIY gun kits and background checks for their purchase.
• Expanded background checks – Biden attempted to close the gun show loophole, requiring private sellers to follow federal licensing rules.
• Gun dealer oversight – The ATF’s “zero tolerance” policy led to record numbers of gun dealer license revocations for serious violations.
• Legal defense of Biden gun laws – The Justice Department’s defense of firearm restrictions in ongoing court cases is under review.
• White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention – Trump’s order calls for an examination of the now-defunct office’s reports and policy recommendations.

What was Biden’s “zero tolerance” policy for gun dealers?

The ATF’s “zero tolerance” policy, which began under Biden, allowed the agency to revoke the licenses of gun dealers who committed serious violations, such as:

• Selling guns without conducting background checks
• Falsifying records to obscure illegal sales
• Failing to report lost or stolen firearms

This policy resulted in a record number of license revocations. However, it was softened in 2024 after a court challenge. Trump’s review will determine whether to eliminate or further relax the policy.

What are ghost guns, and why did Biden regulate them?

Ghost guns are harder-to-trace firearms that can be assembled from kits purchased without background checks. These homemade weapons have been increasingly linked to crimes, as they lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace.

Biden’s 2022 rule required serial numbers on ghost gun kits and background checks for purchases.

Gun rights advocates opposed these regulations, calling them government overreach. Trump’s executive order could lead to a repeal of these restrictions.

How did Biden try to close the gun show loophole?

Biden’s Justice Department issued a 2024 rule requiring some private gun sellers at gun shows or online to obtain federal licenses and conduct background checks before selling firearms.

The rule aimed to prevent unregulated firearm sales outside traditional gun stores. Trump’s order directs Bondi to review this rule and decide whether to repeal it.

How could this affect federal gun laws in court?

Trump’s directive also calls for a review of ongoing legal cases involving gun restrictions, including:

• Challenges to age limits on gun sales
• The ban on gun possession for convicted felons
• Second Amendment lawsuits triggered by the 2022 Supreme Court ruling expanding gun rights

If the Justice Department stops defending these cases, Biden’s gun restrictions could be ruled unconstitutional in court.

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What happens next?

Attorney General Pam Bondi has 30 days to complete her review and report back to Trump. Based on her findings, the administration may:

• Repeal Biden’s gun regulations
• Modify existing policies
• Decline to defend certain gun laws in court

With legal battles already underway, the outcome of this review could reshape federal gun policy for years to come.