Justice Department Ends ATF’s Crackdown on Gun Stores

In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today the repeal of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) “zero-tolerance” policy, a move that has been met with widespread approval from the firearms community, industry stakeholders and yours truly.

The “zero-tolerance” policy, implemented during the previous administration, mandated the revocation of Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs) for even minor infractions, such as clerical errors. This stringent approach led to a dramatic increase in license revocations, with 157 FFLs revoked in 2023 alone, up from 88 in 2022 and just five in the latter half of 2021. Many small business owners found themselves forced to close their doors due to these punitive measures.

Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), praised the DOJ's decision, stating, “The Biden administration purposefully suffocated the firearm industry at every opportunity and no policy was more damaging than its so-called ‘zero-tolerance’ policy. This reckless policy throttled small businesses and drove many to shut down by threatening crippling administrative costs to fight against penalties for minor errors and infractions that were previously reconciled in good faith between ATF officials and law-abiding firearm retailers.”

This attack was nothing more than a ridiculous attack on gun dealers that had no intention of breaking any laws and were not putting anyone at risk at any time. Good riddance.

The repeal follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, directing a comprehensive review of gun regulations enacted under the previous administration. News outlets I reviewed are crediting Kash Patel, serving as both FBI Director and Acting ATF Director, as being instrumental in this policy reversal. Patel has been openly critical of the prior ATF leadership's stance on the Second Amendment, aligning with the administration's commitment to safeguarding constitutional rights.

🚨 NRA Statement on Repeal of ATF Zero Tolerance Policy 🚨⁩ pic.twitter.com/PAV82AIjyk

— NRA (@NRA) April 7, 2025

I'm sure that while we all celebrate, there are gun grabbers out there losing their mind.

This policy change will have a profound impact on the firearms industry, particularly benefiting small business owners who have been disproportionately affected by the stringent enforcement measures of the past gun-grabbing administration. As the DOJ and ATF reconsider other regulations, such as the “Engaged in the Business” and “Stabilizing Brace” rules, the firearms community remains hopeful for further reforms that respect the rights of law-abiding citizens while addressing genuine concerns about public safety.