Trump administration scraps Biden gun export restrictions

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday rescinded Biden-era restrictions on civilian firearms exports, eliminating rules against sales to 36 countries deemed high-risk for the weapons being diverted to criminals and terrorists.

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said the move will restore export rules that existed under Trump's first term and create "hundreds of millions of dollars per year in export opportunities" for U.S. gun manufacturers.

The move aligns with Trump's views on guns and ownership. He has been adamantly against reforming America's gun laws, including raising the legal age to buy a gun, strengthening background checks or limiting assault-style rifles similar to the one the gunman used in his attack on a Michigan church on Sunday.

The Biden administration imposed the restrictions in April 2024 after a temporary export pause, with then-Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo saying the rules would limit diversions of guns to drug cartels, criminal groups and gangs. The restrictions were expected to reduce average annual U.S. firearms exports by 7% or $40 million.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-administration-scraps-biden-gun-172758704.html