Even after a federal judge told them otherwise, the bureau intends to keep Biden’s gun control rule intact – a huge problem for gun owners.
Even after the Gun Owners of America were successful in pushing for a federal judge to do away with previous President Joe Biden’s “Engaged In the Business” rule, it appears that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is trying to keep it intact anyway. And spokesman for the group, Stephen Willeford, was very quick to notice.
- The ATF have reacted to a federal judge’s removal of the “Engaged In the Business” rule applied by Joe Biden with a replacement rule, but it seems to go against parts of the legal decision.
- With this replacement rule, certain rules will continue to redefine who counts as a “dealer” of guns, and utilizing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to impose backdoor universal background checks.
- The Gun Owners of America are trying to fight back, in an effort to get the rule completely abolished, rather than parts of it still existing.
The initial rule, known as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was initially set up to put backdoor universal background checks in effect, simply by redefining who is seen as a “dealer.”
Now that the federal judge has knocked down the rule, the ATF were quick to come up with a replacement one. It notes that this is in place to “rescind” the previously set rule, but, secretly, it still enacts it, with “key parts of its legal framework” still in place.
The ATF notes that Biden’s presumptions and narrow definitions are gone. However, it still notes that “some sections of the Biden rule will be retained.” Which means that they’re ignoring the judge’s order to rescind the rule entirely.
The agency continues to push the idea that intent alone can be enough evidence to prosecute law-abiding gun owners as illegal firearms traffickers, despite the court’s ruling and the clear limits Congress placed in law,” the Gun Owners of America noted in a statement.
Willeford, who was the 2017 “hero with a gun” in an event taking place in Sutherland Springs, joins us now to discuss the situation further. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- Why is the ATF still trying to keep portions of this rule intact, even after a federal judge chose to rescind it entirely?
- Legally, could anything be done to challenge this replacement rule that the ATF have put in place?
- How badly does this replacement rule hurt gun owners? And, for that matter, gun sellers as well?
- Couldn’t President Donald Trump have something to say about it, especially since he built a civil rights office that fights for the rights of gun owners?
- What can those interested in arguing against the ATF do on this matter? How can they support the Gun Owners of America?
- Where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights going as 2026 continues on?
- You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, revolving around your 2017 “hero with a gun” situation. Tell us more about how this came together, and why it’s such an important read right now.
- Where can people find your book?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as Gun Owners of America?
- You can learn more at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com. You can also read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. He is the author of the book A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
