By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—The Congress is working on Appropriations Bills and the Commence, Justice, Science bill is being debated; Trump Administration rNSSF Applauds President Establishing the Make America Beautiful Again Commission, Newsweek covers Trump Administration’s proposed rule that could grant gun rights to Americans currently barred from owning firearms; An online gun dealer on the New York Stock Exchange; Newsweek covers Trump Administration’s proposed rule that could grant gun rights to Americans currently barred from owning firearms; Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis just appointed State Senator Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s Chief Financial Adbision, and his budget includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 4 through December 30, 2025., From hunting season through Christmas.
Federal Legislation
Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill.
On July 14, @GunOwners posted the text of the Republican introduced Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. I have summarized some of the more critical text below:
The Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill includes specific language prohibiting the use of funds for certain firearms-related activities. Below is a summary of the relevant provisions based on the bill:
Prohibition on Firearm-Related Restrictions and Actions: Funds appropriated under this bill may not be used to implement or enforce any regulations, policies, or actions that infringe upon individuals’ Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
No funds can be used for the creation, implementation, or enforcement of any federal program or initiative that promotes or facilitates firearm buyback programs, gun confiscation efforts, or mandatory firearm storage requirements that could restrict lawful access to firearms by U.S. citizens.
The bill explicitly prohibits the use of funds for any discriminatory actions against individuals or entities engaged in the lawful sale, transfer, or possession of firearms, including restrictions on the operation of licensed firearm dealers or manufacturers compliant with federal and state laws.
Funds are barred from supporting any efforts to label or track lawful firearm purchases or transfers as part of federal surveillance or data collection programs, except where required for existing background check systems authorized by law. These provisions emphasize the bill’s focus on protecting constitutional rights, particularly those related to the Second Amendment, while ensuring that federal funds are not used to support policies perceived as limiting lawful firearm ownership, use, or commerce. For the exact language, refer to the bill text available at the provided link.
Additionally, the actual budget for ATF has been reduced from $1.6 billion to $1.2 billion. That amount is similar to what the Trump administration requested. Cam Edwards in a July 15, 2025, article in Bearing Arms discusses the political reality of how the January 1, 2026, starting date for NFA applications being submitted with no fee may significantly hurt their revenue and cause delays in the paperwork beiong delivered to buyers. He writes:
“Last month the average wait time for NFA approval was 48 days for paper applications and 9 days for individuals filing electronically, with electronic applications for to transfer the NFA item to a trust taking an average of 13 days before being approved or denied. A dramatic increase in applications come the new year might slow things down a little bit, but it shouldn’t lead to wait times tripling. If that does happen, I think it would be fair to ask if ATF bureaucrats are playing games with the approval process. If so, then the agency should be punished.”
Trump Administration
NSSF Applauds President for Establishing the ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ Commission.
“President Trump’s Executive Order is a significant step toward ensuring public lands continue to be places where the public can safely practice and pass along the traditions of hunting and recreational target shooting,” said Joseph Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “Equally important is the commitment to sustainable wildlife conservation. Thriving wildlife across America is successful only through the investments by hunter-conservationists and firearm and ammunition manufacturers that pay the overwhelming share of excise tax dollars to fund this vital effort. America’s successful wildlife conservation is the envy of the world. Conservation-minded policies keep us connected to the lands and the wildlife we enjoy.”
Newsweek covers the Trump Administration’s proposed rule that could grant gun rights to Americans currently barred from owning firearms.
The DOJ proposed a rule to restore gun rights for thousands of Americans barred due to criminal convictions, leveraging a dormant legal process. The attorney general will decide on a case-by-case basis, excluding undocumented immigrants, violent felons, and sex offenders. This aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce gun regulations.
An online gun dealer on the New York Stock Exchange
Fox Business News published an article about GrabAGUN, a gun dealer supported by Donald Trump Jr. and listed on the NYSE. Don Jr. called it a “catalyst for change and a ‘cultural shift’ in attitude toward the Second Amendment.”
Newsweek covers the Trump Administration’s proposed rule that could grant gun rights to Americans currently barred from owning firearms
The DOJ has proposed a rule to restore gun rights for thousands of Americans barred due to criminal convictions, leveraging a dormant legal process. The attorney general will decide on a case-by-case basis, excluding undocumented immigrants, violent felons, and sex offenders. This aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce gun regulations.
State Legislatures
The following states are still in SESSION:
California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
With only six states still in session, and California also in recess for July, Second Amendment legislative activity at the state and local level is almost at a standstill..
Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis just appointed State Senator Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s Chief Financial Advisor. CFO Ingoglia has served in the Florida Senate as a pro-Second Amendment legislator and advocate. Governor DeSantis’ budget includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from Sept. 4 through Dec. 30, basically from the beginning of hunting season through Christmas!
