The San Francisco Chronicle raises concerns about potential changes to federal firearm regulations under President Donald Trump's administration.
According to Breitbart, the San Francisco Chronicle warns that Trump may dismantle Biden's "ghost gun" restrictions, which were recently upheld by the Supreme Court on March 26, 2025.
The regulations, known as ATF Final Rule 2021-05F, implemented strict measures on partially completed pistol frames and other firearm components. These rules mandated serial numbers for tracking purposes and required background checks for buyers, while also prohibiting sales to individuals under 21 years old.
President Trump's February executive order directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to evaluate the Biden administration's gun regulations. The order specifically aimed to stop policies that could limit Second Amendment rights.
Trump's stance on ghost guns during his first term showed a hands-off approach to regulation. His recent directive suggests a potential return to less restrictive policies on firearm components and assembly.
Legal experts suggest the current administration could easily rescind the ghost gun regulation through executive action. This possibility has sparked debate about the future of firearm control measures.
The Supreme Court's recent ruling to uphold Biden's ghost gun restrictions marked a significant victory for gun control advocates. The decision validated the ATF's authority to redefine what constitutes a firearm.
The Chronicle cited legal experts who noted:
President Joe Biden's administration adopted regulations in 2022 requiring the parts to include serial numbers so that their owners could be traced. The regulations also required the buyers to undergo background checks, like those mandated for gun purchasers, and banned sales to anyone under age 21.
This definition expansion allowed federal authorities to regulate previously uncontrolled firearm components. The ruling's impact, however, may be short-lived under Trump's administration.
The ATF's Final Rule 2021-05F represented a significant shift in federal firearm regulation. The rule's implementation changed how the government approaches partially completed weapon components.
Trump's February executive order specifically addressed existing gun control measures. His directive to Attorney General Bondi demonstrates a clear intention to review and potentially reverse Biden-era regulations.
The administration's approach aligns with Trump's previous stance on firearm regulations. His first term was characterized by minimal intervention in ghost gun manufacturing and sales.
President Trump's potential reversal of Biden's ghost gun restrictions signals a major shift in federal firearm regulation. The move follows his February executive order directing Attorney General Bondi to review existing gun control measures. The Supreme Court's March 26 decision to uphold ATF Final Rule 2021-05F may face challenges from the current administration. The rule's requirements for serial numbers, background checks, and age restrictions on partially completed firearm components could be eliminated through executive action.