DOJ and ATF kill Biden's "Zero Tolerance" firearms dealer policy
By lauraharris // 2025-04-13
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  • The DOJ and ATF have rescinded Biden's 2021 "Zero Tolerance" policy, which mandated license revocations for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) over even minor or first-time violations, including paperwork errors. Under Biden, the ATF revoked 92 licenses in 2022 (1.3 percent of reviewed dealers) and 170 in 2023 – record highs.
  • With the policy overturned, the ATF will revert to pre-Biden discretion, evaluating violations individually rather than imposing automatic revocations for minor infractions.
  • Trump's DOJ/ATF will reassess Biden's 2023 rule reclassifying pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles (SBRs), which forced owners to register, modify or destroy affected firearms. The rule disproportionately impacted disabled veterans and faced legal challenges.
  • The administration will also review Biden's April 2024 rule expanding the definition of firearm dealers to include those "predominantly earning a profit" from sales, requiring licensing and background checks. Critics argue it overreaches congressional intent.
  • These actions align with Trump's pledge to roll back Biden-era gun restrictions, restoring flexibility for dealers and owners while reviewing contested regulations for legal or procedural flaws.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have terminated former President Joe Biden's stringent rule that subjected firearm dealers to license revocation over minor infractions. In June 2021, the Biden administration implemented the "Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy," commonly called the "Zero Tolerance Policy," that mandated the ATF to revoke the licenses of Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) even for first-time violations of federal law, including minor paperwork errors. The policy dramatically increased revocations, with ATF data showing record-high enforcement actions during Biden's tenure. Under the policy, the ATF revoked 92 FFLs in 2022 – roughly 1.3 percent of dealers reviewed – marking the highest revocation rate since 2006, according to a USA Today analysis. In the fiscal year 2023, the agency yanked 170 licenses out of 8,689 inspections while issuing 667 warning letters, per ATF records. However, President Donald Trump has directed his administration to roll back the anti-gun policy to restore Americans' access to firearms when he takes office in January. This mandate includes overturning the "Zero Tolerance Policy." With the Biden-era policy now rescinded, the ATF is expected to return to case-by-case evaluations of violations, offering gun dealers greater flexibility without fearing immediate revocation over minor mistakes.

Trump's DOJ and ATF to review Biden's Pistol Brace Rule and "Engaged in the Business" Policy

Aside from the termination of the "Zero Tolerance Policy," the DOJ and the ATF are also set to review Biden's Pistol Brace Rule and "Engaged in the Business" policy. The Biden administration's "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'" rule, implemented in January 2023, classified pistols equipped with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles (SBRs) under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968. The rule gave gun owners 120 days to register, modify or destroy affected firearms. This rule has reclassified millions of pistols as restricted short-barreled rifles. Legal firearm owners, including disabled veterans who rely on stabilizing braces for improved control, were disproportionately impacted. The ATF estimated the rule affected between three million and seven million stabilizing braces in circulation, sparking widespread opposition from Second Amendment advocates. (Related: ATF bans millions of guns with new pistol brace rule.) Now, officials from the Trump-era DOJ and ATF will assess the rule's legal foundations, signaling a potential rollback if legal or procedural flaws are identified. The same is about to happen with the ATF's April 2024 "engaged in the business" rule, which expanded the definition of a firearms dealer under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). The regulation now considers anyone who "predominantly earns a profit" from selling firearms as a dealer, requiring them to obtain a federal license and conduct background checks. The DOJ and ATF under Trump will evaluate whether the rule aligns with congressional intent or imposes undue burdens. Visit SecondAmendment.news for more stories about challenges to the right to keep and bear arms. Watch Glenn Beck explain how the ATF's pistol brace rule would turn 40 million gun owners into criminals below.
This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

"Defund the ATF" – Conservatives and politicians push to get ATF defunded and dismantled for anti-gun policies and actions. Illinois judge issues restraining order blocking new 'assault weapons' ban from taking effect. Growing number of Illinois sheriffs say they'll refuse to enforce new gun control law passed by Democrats. ATF bans stabilizing braces on pistols that were legally purchased, turning millions of gun owners into instant criminals.

ATF FFL definition expansion isn't just unconstitutional. It's unfeasible.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com DailyCaller.com
Brighteon.com
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