Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven from North Dakota and Senator John Cornyn from Texas, along with 28 other Senate Republicans, have sent a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The letter urges ATF Deputy Director Marvin Richardson to align the agency's policies with former President Donald Trump's Second Amendment agenda as detailed in his recent Executive Order.

The senators' letter specifically calls for the identification and rescission of firearm regulations established during former President Joe Biden's administration. These include the "Engaged in the Business" rule, pistol brace rule, "ghost gun" rule, and a "zero tolerance" policy that led to license revocations for federal firearm licensees over minor violations.

In their communication dated February 7, 2025, the senators wrote: “On Friday, February 7, 2025, President Donald J. Trump took decisive action to reaffirm law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights in issuing his Executive Order, Protecting Second Amendment Rights.” They further urged ATF to align its rules with what they described as Trump's strong support for Second Amendment rights.

The letter also highlights Trump's directive for Attorney General Pam Bondi to review Biden-era firearms regulations. The senators expressed their desire for collaboration between ATF and the Attorney General in identifying and rescinding these policies.

Among those joining Senators Hoeven and Cornyn are Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and several other Republican senators including Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Ted Cruz of Texas.