DOJ Announces 34 Federal Gun Rule Changes, Full List Still Emerging

DOJ Announces 34 Federal Gun Rule Changes, Full List Still Emerging

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a sweeping package of 34 proposed and finalized firearm regulation changes this week.

Officials say the goal is to align federal policy with recent court rulings and reduce burdens on lawful gun owners, while maintaining enforcement against criminal activity.

The changes are not being released as one single list. Instead, they are coming out as individual rule notices, which is why there is still no official document showing all 34 in one place.

This is what we have and can confirm so far.

The stabilizing brace rule is being repealed, removing prior ATF regulations on pistol braces that had faced multiple legal challenges.

The definition of who is considered “engaged in the business” of selling firearms is being rolled back, narrowing who is required to obtain a federal firearms license.

Bump stocks are being removed from the federal definition of a machine gun, aligning with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.

The requirement for dealers to provide youth handgun safety notices and signage is being eliminated.

Proposed changes would scale back expanded background check requirements that had applied to more private sellers.

Form 4473, the standard firearm transaction record, is being modernized, including allowing electronic completion and submission.

Licensed firearm dealers will be allowed to store records digitally rather than maintaining only paper copies.

Record retention requirements are being reduced, replacing indefinite storage rules with defined time limits.

Certain restrictions on how firearms can be sold within the same state are being loosened, allowing more flexibility for in-state transactions.

A new internal review system is being created for firearm classification decisions within the ATF.

The ATF is implementing faster response timelines for industry questions and classification requests.

Import restrictions on certain non-lethal training ammunition are being reversed.

Proposed policy changes would move away from the previous “zero tolerance” enforcement approach toward licensed dealers.

A process is being considered that would allow certain individuals to restore firearm rights under specific conditions.

More rule changes are expected to be released as part of the full 34-item package.