ATF revokes rule affecting federal gun store sales licenses

He biden administration has reversed a widely criticized policy that required inspectors to revoke federal firearms sales licenses for gun stores due to certain errors or anomalies in paperwork as part of a “zero tolerance” approach.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) voluntarily repealed the rule following a lawsuit from Austin, Texas, gun store owner Michael Cargill, an outspoken gun rights advocate who argued that the policy prevented access to firearms and was a barrier. to the right of own firearms.

“I have literally single-handedly neutered the ATF,” Cargill told Fox News Digital.

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FAR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at a gun store. (Reuters/Bing Guan)

Cargill brought the case with support from the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and America First Legal.

Under the rule, which was issued in 2021 by the Biden administration, a holder of a Federal Firearms License (FFL) could have his license revoked the first time he “intentionally” violates various provisions, including falsifying records , such as a firearms transaction form.

The rule was aimed at curbing firearms crimes. However, critics say it has been used to punish arms dealers for minor, honest administrative errors. The TPPF cited random errors when filling out forms, such as writing “U.S.” in the “county” field on a background check form.

Fox News Digital has contacted the ATF.

Matt Miller, TPPF’s lead attorney and lead attorney on the case, said the Biden administration’s zero-tolerance approach has been “devastating” for businesses.

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Semi-automatic shotguns are displayed for sale on the shelves of the McBride Guns Inc. store in Austin, Texas, on August 25, 2023. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

“Many gun stores have been forced to close due to the illegal terms of the old enforcement order,” he said in a statement. “The new order effectively restores old compliance guidelines, meaning gun stores don’t have to live in fear of making honest mistakes.”

Cargill previously won a case brought before the United States Supreme Court which overturned a federal ban on booster stocks.

“There are 100 different ways customers can make paperwork mistakes when they walk into a gun store,” he said. “In this terminology, if we allowed them to come in and inspect the hospitals and say ‘They made a mistake in the hospital.’ Whether it was the doctor or the radiologist, they made a mistake. We’re going to shut down the entire hospital. That’s crazy.”

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“Nobody does that. No other industry is under that kind of pressure,” Cargill added.