Trump reportedly revokes ATF’s “zero tolerance” policy, allowing dealers to sell guns to criminals

WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement on the Trump administration’s reported reversal of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ “zero tolerance” policy. The critical policy had revoked the licenses of gun dealers who have willfully broken the law and was a powerful tool for combatting gun trafficking and straw purchasing.

“The impact here is simple: putting gun dealers who break the law back in business will increase crime,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS. “Reckless dealers who are willing to sell guns to traffickers and criminals have been given our president’s seal of approval at the cost of Americans’ safety.”

“Repealing this rule benefits two parties: The gun sellers knowingly endangering communities, and the gun CEOs getting rich off of weapons sales to criminals,” Brown added. “It absolutely does not benefit the American people.”

In 2023, ATF revoked 170 licenses, more licenses than they revoked in the previous 3 years combined and the highest number since tracking began in 2005. With the reversal of the “zero tolerance” policy Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) who are violating the law will stay in business, allowing more illegal firearms to flow into communities.