Central ND News

BISMARCK — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) recently introduced a new rule named the “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule, which has sparked controversy and concern among gun rights advocates. This rule significantly broadens the criteria for defining who is considered a firearms dealer under federal law, leading to implications for gun ownership and background checks.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) strongly criticized the Biden administration for this move, stating, "Instead of respecting the right to bear arms, the Biden administration’s overbearing rule unlawfully subjects occasional sellers to the same rules as large-scale, professional firearms dealers. This is an affront to the Second Amendment, a threat to individual liberties, and a manifestation of a broader agenda to disarm America. It needs to stop."

The Biden administration's justification for the new regulation has been linked to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 (BSCA). However, critics argue that this act does not include provisions that would support such a significant redefinition of who is considered “engaged in the business” of selling firearms. The Department of Justice (DOJ) estimates that approximately 23,000 unlicensed firearms dealers will feel the impact of this new rule once it goes into effect.

The Final Rule is expected to be enforced 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register, according to the DOJ. Gun rights advocates and lawmakers are closely monitoring the situation, expressing concerns about the potential implications of this expanded background check requirement on the Second Amendment rights of individuals.