The letter comes as part of a broader effort to roll back Biden’s radical anti-Second Amendment agenda, following President Trump’s executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to review all Biden-era gun control policies. Gun owners are hopeful that Bondi’s report will recommend eliminating these rules, though some remain skeptical given her past anti-gun positions in Florida under former Governor Rick Scott.
Biden’s ATF Power Grabs: How Millions Were Criminalized
The Pistol Brace Ban – Biden’s ATF reclassified pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles (SBRs), requiring registration under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This move turned millions of gun owners into felons overnight, despite the fact that braces were originally designed to assist disabled veterans. Even though this rule has since been vacated by the courts, recent reports suggest the ATF is ignoring the court by still enforcing the ban.
The “Engaged in the Business” Rule – This rule drastically reinterpreted what it means to be “in the business” of selling firearms, requiring even private sellers who make a few transactions to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL). This effectively bans private sales and creates a de facto gun registry by forcing all transactions to go through background checks.
The Zero-Tolerance Policy for FFLs – The ATF has been shutting down gun stores for minor clerical errors, with the goal of destroying the firearms industry one license at a time.
The “Frame and Receiver” Rule – This regulation expanded ATF’s definition of a firearm to include unfinished frames and receivers, severely restricting the ability of Americans to legally build their own guns.
The ATF’s National Gun Registry – The Biden administration pushed the ATF to digitize and retain firearm transaction records, building an illegal national registry of gun owners in direct violation of federal law.
The courts have repeatedly struck down ATF’s overreach, with more ATF rules overturned than those of any other federal agency. This highlights how often the ATF abuses its power—and why it must be reined in, if not abolished altogether.
Cornyn’s Sudden Change of Heart—Too Little, Too Late?
Now, after facing fierce backlash from gun owners and failing in his bid to become Senate Majority Leader, Cornyn appears to be trying to atone for his anti-gun sins. But while his effort to roll back Biden’s ATF rules is welcome, it does not erase his responsibility for the BSCA’s role in fueling this mess in the first place.
Where Does ATF Go From Here?
If the ATF follows through on the Senators’ demands and repeals all Biden-era gun control, it would be a major victory—but it cannot be the final goal.
The war on gun rights didn’t start with Biden, and it won’t end by simply rolling back his policies. For example, during Trump’s first term, the ATF implemented a ban on Bump Stocks, which was since overturned by the Supreme Court in Cargill vs Garland.