the Biden administration It reversed a much-criticized policy that required inspectors to revoke gun shops' federal firearms sales licenses due to certain paperwork errors or anomalies as part of a “zero tolerance” approach.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) voluntarily rescinded the rule following a lawsuit filed by Michael Cargill, a gun store owner in Austin, Texas, and an outspoken gun rights supporter who argued that the policy hindered access to firearms and served as a barrier. To the right in Special firearms.
“I single-handedly neutered the ATF,” Cargill told Fox News Digital.
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FAR-15 rifles for sale at a gun store. (Reuters/Ping Guan)
Cargill brought the case with support from the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and America First Legal.
Under the rule, issued by the Biden administration in 2021, a federal firearms license (FFL) holder can have their license revoked the first time they “willfully” violate several provisions, including falsifying records, such as the Firearms Transaction Form.
The rule aims to reduce gun crimes. However, critics say it has been used to punish gun dealers for simple, honest errors in paperwork. TPPF cited random errors while filling out forms, such as writing “United States of America” in the “county” field on a background check form.
Fox News Digital has reached out Atf.
Matt Miller, a senior TPPF attorney and lead counsel in the case, said the Biden administration's zero-tolerance approach has been “devastating” to businesses.
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Semi-automatic rifles are displayed for sale on the shelves at the McBride Guns Inc. store. In Austin, Texas, on August 25, 2023. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Many gun stores were forced to close due to the illegal terms of the old enforcement order,” he said in a statement. “The new system effectively restores old enforcement guidance, meaning gun shops won't have to live in fear of honest mistakes.”
Cargill previously won a case argued before the International Court of Justice US Supreme Court That overturned the federal ban on bump stocks.
“There are 100 different ways customers can make paperwork mistakes when they walk into a gun store,” he said. “In this term, if we allow them to come in and inspect the hospitals, and they say, ‘They made a mistake in the hospital.’” “Whether it's the doctor or the radiology department, they made a mistake, and we're going to shut down the entire hospital, which is crazy.”
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“No one is doing this,” Cargill added. “No other industry is under this kind of pressure.”
