Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) released the following statement after a gun show in Hamilton, Montana was canceled last weekend due to a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Rule that fundamentally changes and drastically complicates the way firearms are sold in the United States. This rule which was published on April 19th, 2024, has the potential to shut down countless more gun shows throughout the country and can potentially destroy the gun show industry.
“The Second Amendment is an ironclad promise to American citizens that their right to keep and bear arms shall never be infringed,” said Rep. Rosendale. “Restricting individuals from buying and selling firearms from each other nullifies our founder’s intent when authoring the Second Amendment and will permanently damage the entire firearm industry.
“This administration has used every opportunity they can to abuse the rulemaking process to not only sidestep the letter of the law, but the intent of the law as well. This latest example violates our most basic rights as protected under the Constitution, which is why several state Attorney Generals have challenged it as well as myself and many of my colleagues here in Congress.”
Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs, Gun Owners of America said, “While Gun Owners of America secured a Temporary Restraining Order prohibiting ATF from enforcing this tyrannical new rule against GOA members nationwide and Texans, Congress needs to take action. Rep. Rosendale is right to condemn the ATF for harming Montanans that are not yet GOA members and who are being negatively impacted by the new illegal restrictions on their Second Amendment rights. Congress needs to pass H.J. Res. 144 to repeal ATF's Universal Registration Check rule and prevent the rogue agency from ever issuing another rule like it.”
Background:
On April 19, 2024, the ATF published the Definition of “Engaged in Business” as a Dealer in Firearms rule in the federal register.
Under this radical rule by the ATF, any individual who sells even a single firearm for any profit, to any person could be classified as “Engaged in the Business” of selling firearms, and in turn, they would be forced to get a federal license, conduct a background check, and complete gun registration paperwork under federal law.
Congressman Rosendale is an original cosponsor of H.J.Res.144, a joint resolution of disapproval to overturn this disastrous rule.
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