Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, along with 28 other Senate Republicans, have urged the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to align its policies with former President Donald Trump’s Second Amendment agenda. In a letter addressed to ATF Deputy Director Marvin Richardson, the senators requested the agency to overturn what they described as unconstitutional firearms regulations implemented during Joe Biden’s presidency.
The group of senators highlighted several specific rules they want rescinded. These include the “Engaged in the Business” rule, pistol brace rule, “ghost gun” rule, and a “zero tolerance” policy that has led to revocations of federal firearm licenses over minor infractions.
The senators referenced an Executive Order issued by Trump on February 7, 2025. They stated: “On Friday, February 7, 2025, President Donald J. Trump took decisive action to reaffirm law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights in issuing his Executive Order, Protecting Second Amendment Rights.” They further urged Richardson to adjust ATF’s policies accordingly.
They continued by stating that under Biden’s administration, ATF had adopted policies infringing on Second Amendment rights. The letter noted: “Under former President Joe Biden, ATF adopted numerous policies and rules that infringed upon Americans’ Second Amendment protections.” The senators asked for collaboration with Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and repeal these measures swiftly.
Among those joining Hoeven and Cornyn were Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota and Senators Thom Tillis from North Carolina and John Barrasso from Wyoming. Other signatories included Senators Ted Cruz from Texas and Lindsey Graham from South Carolina.
A full version of the letter is available online for public viewing.
