The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has submitted a series of formal comment letters to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on multiple proposed rules, urging the agency to modernize regulations in ways that better respect the Second Amendment, gun-owner privacy and the right to interstate travel with firearms.
The move was announced Monday.
In late April, SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut was on hand in Washington, D.C. when the ATF announced 34 proposed and final rules during a press conference following confirmation of Robert Cekada as the new ATF Director. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was also present.
At the ceremony, Cekada signed final rules, including the rescission of the “stabilizing brace” and “engaged in the business” rules. He provided summary insights into the proposed rules, including updates to Form 4473 for the commercial transfer of firearms, clarifying interstate transportation of firearms under the Gun Control Act, and recordkeeping requirements for Federal Firearms Licensees.
“SAF is actively engaging in the regulatory process because these rules will have real-world consequences for millions of law-abiding gun owners across the nation,” Kraut said. “We support reforms that modernize outdated practices, protect privacy and reduce unnecessary barriers to the exercise of Second Amendment rights, while remaining vigilant against any changes that could expand government overreach or create new obstacles for peaceable Americans.”
Across the letters, SAF supported proposals that would ease outdated barriers to non-over-the-counter firearms transactions, restore reasonable time limits on dealer records retention, clarify and strengthen protections for interstate transportation of firearms under the Gun Control Act and Firearm Owners’ Protection Act and reduce unnecessary burdens on the interstate movement of National Firearms Act items. SAF also commented on proposed revisions to Form 4473, the definition of “adjudicated as a mental defective,” and rules governing selection of biological sex on ATF forms.
“These comment letters reflect SAF’s commitment to ensuring that federal regulations remain consistent with the text, history and tradition of the Second Amendment,” said Kostas Moros, SAF director of Legal Research and Education. “The Constitution and our historical tradition demand that ATF get these proposed rules right. Fortunately, for the most part, they have. The proposed rules are, overall, in accord with the Second Amendment. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this process and urge the agency to finalize rules that expand, rather than restrict, the rights of peaceable citizens.”
