The Trump administration establishes the Second Amendment Task Force to restore gun rights nationwide, signaling a major shift in federal firearms policy.
Quick Takes
- Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a dedicated Second Amendment Task Force to affirm and strengthen gun owners’ rights.
- The initiative will audit existing practices, reverse Biden-era restrictions, and coordinate with state attorneys general on litigation.
- The Justice Department has already repealed the “zero tolerance policy” that imposed stricter regulations on licensed gun sellers.
- The task force represents the administration’s commitment to elevating Second Amendment protections to equal status with other constitutional rights.
- Gun safety groups have criticized the moves, arguing they prioritize gun industry interests over public safety concerns.
DOJ Launches Dedicated Gun Rights Initiative
The Department of Justice under the Trump administration has taken a decisive step to strengthen Second Amendment protections by establishing a dedicated task force. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the creation of this specialized unit with the explicit purpose of defending gun owners’ rights against what the administration describes as governmental overreach. The Second Amendment Task Force will combine policy expertise and litigation resources to advance President Trump’s pro-gun agenda nationwide, marking a significant departure from the previous administration’s approach to firearm regulation.
The announcement follows the repeal of the Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy, commonly known as the “zero tolerance policy,” which had established stricter criteria for licensed gun sellers. This policy rollback signals the administration’s commitment to reducing what it perceives as unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles for law-abiding gun owners and dealers. The task force will develop comprehensive strategies to promote compliance with Second Amendment principles and will include representatives from various divisions within the Department of Justice.
Attorney General Bondi's memo regarding the creation of a Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force: https://t.co/n8cXKKdj50 pic.twitter.com/vsGVBYTJeO
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) April 9, 2025
Constitutional Equality for Second Amendment
A central theme of the task force’s mission is to elevate the Second Amendment to equal status with other constitutional protections. Attorney General Bondi has been explicit about this objective, stating that gun rights have historically received second-class treatment in the constitutional hierarchy. “For too long, the Second Amendment, which establishes the fundamental individual right of Americans to keep and bear arms, has been treated as a second-class right. No more,” declared Bondi. The initiative represents a strategic approach to restore what the administration views as the proper legal standing of the right to bear arms within the American constitutional framework.
The task force has gained support from Republican lawmakers who share the administration’s constitutional perspective. Representative Riley M. Moore (R-WV) endorsed the initiative, emphasizing the foundational nature of Second Amendment protections. The DOJ is also conducting a comprehensive review of controversial Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rules implemented during the previous administration, including regulations on firearm sales and AR-pistol stabilizer braces.
Strategic Implementation and Opposition
The Second Amendment Task Force will focus on three primary areas: legal defense of firearm ownership, comprehensive policy audits of existing practices, and coordination with state attorneys general on litigation matters. This multi-pronged approach aims to ensure consistent enforcement of Second Amendment protections across all states. The initiative represents part of a broader effort to reverse Biden-era firearm regulations and implement a strict constitutionalist approach to gun rights throughout federal agencies.
Not all stakeholders have welcomed these developments. Gun safety advocacy groups have voiced strong criticism of both the task force and the repeal of the zero-tolerance policy. Critics argue these actions potentially undermine efforts to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable and could lead to increased gun crime. Some opponents have accused the Trump administration of prioritizing gun industry profits over public safety concerns, highlighting the deeply polarized nature of firearm policy debates in America.
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AG Pam Bondi announces Second Amendment Task Force to support gun rights
Trump DOJ Launches Second Amendment Task Force to Defend Gun Rights Nationwide
