Justice Department Unveils 34 Gun Rollbacks as Analysis Warns of Potential Mass-Casualty Events
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 15
Justice Department Unveils 34 Gun Rollbacks as Analysis Warns of Potential Mass-Casualty Events
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 15
Summary
Thirty-four Justice Department proposals would ease federal gun rules on purchases, sales and accessories, including shorter forms, looser online ID checks and softer recordkeeping requirements.
One ATF proposal says lifting gun restrictions on some people deemed unfit to manage Social Security or veterans’ benefits could carry risks "up to and including potential mass casualty events," depending on state and federal safeguards.
Other changes would cut dealers’ record-retention periods to 20 or 30 years, ease rules on gun-show and informal sales, and rescind added checks on stabilizing braces—steps critics say could hinder crime tracing and widen access.
Todd Blanche and ATF counsel Robert Leider said the warnings reflect required risk analysis, not expected outcomes, and argued the rules remove outdated burdens while preserving bans for people involuntarily committed to mental institutions.
The proposals, part of Trump’s broader push to unwind Biden-era gun policy through regulation rather than Congress, are open for public comment until about Aug. 6 and are expected to face court challenges.
With dozens of gun rules changing, which upcoming court cases could ultimately decide their long-term fate?
As federal gun rules ease, could states with stricter laws face a new wave of legal challenges?
A government analysis warns of 'mass casualty events,' so what safeguards are planned to prevent this potential outcome?
Sweeping 2026 Federal Gun Deregulation: Inside the DOJ & ATF’s 34 Proposed Rule Changes
Overview
In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice and ATF announced 34 major regulatory reforms, marking what supporters call a 'New Era of Reform' and a sweeping rollback of gun regulations. This move came just days after a high-profile security incident in Washington, D.C., drawing sharp reactions from both sides. Gun safety advocates criticized the reforms as gutting common-sense laws, while industry groups celebrated the changes as overdue support for Second Amendment rights. The reforms include both proposed and final rules, with details available on the ATF website, and signal a significant shift in federal firearms policy.