Recent Developments in U.S. Federal Firearm Laws

In the past six months, a flurry of federal activity has shaken up U.S. gun policy. The Trump administration, Congress and federal agencies have moved aggressively to roll back or amend firearm regulations, even as Democrats push new controls. Notable changes include proposed legislation on national concealed carry, new policies at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and major court rulings on existing gun rules. For example, ATF’s website now highlights recent updates like new guidance on pistol braces from August 2025 and actions under President Trump’s May 2025 executive order titled “Protecting Second Amendment Rights.” Lawmakers in Congress have introduced both pro gun and gun safety bills, ranging from national carry reciprocity to universal background checks, while the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a high profile Second Amendment case early next year. All these developments underscore intense debate over gun rights and gun control at the federal level.

Background

Federal gun law has been in flux ever since the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision broadened the right to carry and spawned hundreds of legal challenges. Under the previous Biden administration, the ATF issued stricter regulations on ghost guns, pistol stabilizing braces, and dealer licensing, many of which are now being revisited by courts or policymakers. For instance, a recent federal court vacated the 2022 ATF rule on pistol braces and refused to enforce it. Likewise, in October 2025 a judge struck down the ATF’s 2024 engaged in business rule that had tried to require licenses for casual gun sellers. At the same time, Congress in 2022 had passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which modestly expanded background checks, and states on both sides of the aisle continued passing their own laws. Now, with a Republican White House and Congress, many of the old policies are being undone. The ATF itself has described a new era of reform, including plans to remove revoked license reports from its website and reverse bans on certain firearm imports. Federal agencies are explicitly working under President Trump’s February 2025 executive order directing them to assess any ongoing infringements of gun rights. In Congress, the lines remain sharply drawn. Republicans are pushing broad new gun rights measures, while Democrats are revisiting proposals for stricter rules. For example, House Democrats led by Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Hakeem Jeffries, and Mike Thompson urged universal background checks after a deadly New York City shooting, sponsoring the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025, also known as H.R. 18, to require checks on all gun sales. In the Senate, Democrats including Chris Murphy have reintroduced a similar Background Check Expansion Act with nearly unanimous Democratic support. On the other side, Republican leaders like Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina have unveiled a Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act to force states to recognize each other’s carry permits. Meanwhile, Republican legislators have also targeted federal record keeping, introducing bills such as S.119, the No REGISTRY Rights Act, which would delete or forbid the ATF’s national database of gun sales. These competing agendas, expanded carry rights versus expanded background checks, set the stage for ongoing battles in Congress and the courts.

Key Players

President Donald J. Trump, a Republican elected in 2024, has made gun rights a priority of his administration. In February 2025 he signed an executive order titled “Protecting Second Amendment Rights,” directing a top to bottom review of Biden era gun policies. Under his direction, federal agencies are now rewriting or revoking many regulations and launching new initiatives to safeguard gun ownership. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the former Florida governor, serves as Trump’s Attorney General and is the top law enforcement official implementing his gun agenda. Bondi has announced the creation of a new Department of Justice Second Amendment Rights Section, scheduled to open on December 4, 2025, to enforce a broad interpretation of gun rights. She also published a proposed rule in mid 2025 to restore firearms rights to certain non violent offenders under federal law, responding to Trump’s directive that people who do not pose a threat should not be permanently barred from gun ownership. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the Senate Majority Whip and former state attorney general, spearheaded the concealed carry reciprocity effort in the Senate. In January 2025 he and other Republicans, including Senators Ted Cruz and John Kennedy, unveiled the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Cornyn has described the bill as commonsense and secured endorsements from major gun rights organizations. Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina is the House sponsor of the parallel carry reciprocity bill, H.R. 38, introduced in January 2025. Hudson leads a large Republican bloc pushing national reciprocity and has gathered more than 180 co sponsors supporting the measure. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho and Representative Michael Cloud of Texas are co sponsors of the No REGISTRY Rights Act, introduced in January 2025. Their legislation would require the ATF to delete its database of federally licensed dealer gun sale records and allow dealers to destroy records when going out of business, effectively blocking any future federal gun registry. Both lawmakers argue the bill responds to what they describe as previous attempts to create a backdoor federal gun registry. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut is a leading Democratic gun control advocate and a member of Senate leadership. In November 2025 Murphy co introduced a wide ranging Background Check Expansion Act with 45 Democratic senators. The proposal would mandate background checks for all firearm transfers. Murphy and other Democrats frequently cite polling showing overwhelming public support for universal background checks and have criticized the administration for rolling back bipartisan safety measures. Representative Mike Thompson of California, chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, has sponsored background check legislation for years. In mid 2025 he introduced H.R. 18, requiring a background check on every gun sale. After a July 2025 New York City mass shooting, Thompson and other Democratic leaders urged Republicans to co sponsor the bill, citing polling showing strong support even among Republicans and self described Second Amendment supporters. Gun rights and gun control organizations also play a major role. The National Rifle Association and similar pro gun groups strongly support the administration’s deregulatory efforts. Meanwhile, gun control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Campaign, and Giffords have continued pressing for expanded background checks, calling them commonsense measures backed by the public.

What Happens Next

Looking ahead, much of this agenda faces significant political resistance. With slim majorities, Republicans in Congress may struggle to pass even pro gun bills, while Democrats have pledged to block them. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and the No REGISTRY Rights Act have strong Republican support but face likely filibusters or veto threats in a divided Senate. At the same time, Democratic backed universal background check bills enjoy broad public support but have little chance of passing in a Republican led Congress. At the agency level, Department of Justice and ATF initiatives will continue rolling out in phases. The DOJ’s Second Amendment Rights Section is scheduled to open in December 2025 and will begin reviewing state and local firearm restrictions under new priorities. The ATF has already implemented several Trump directed changes, including reversing previous import bans and adjusting background check alert procedures. The agency also plans to issue further guidance on pistol braces and finalize revised regulatory definitions. Major court battles are also underway. Most notably, the Supreme Court agreed in October 2025 to hear United States v. Hemani, a case challenging a federal law barring gun possession by illegal drug users. The Court is expected to hear the case in early 2026, with a ruling by mid year. Lower courts have issued mixed rulings on other firearm regulations, leaving some long standing restrictions in place while striking down others. Additional lawsuits could further reshape federal enforcement authority. Public opinion may continue to influence the debate. Polls consistently show strong support for universal background checks and a general desire for compromise. High profile mass shootings continue to shape the political response, often renewing calls for action on both sides. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, control of federal gun policy could shift again, making some of these initiatives temporary or reversible.

Why It Matters

These developments have nationwide consequences. For gun owners and firearms businesses, regulatory rollbacks could reduce compliance burdens and limit federal oversight. Blocking certain ATF rules may allow occasional firearm sellers to avoid dealer licensing, while eliminating federal sales databases could prevent centralized record keeping. Conversely, any new universal background check law would expand federal involvement in private and online gun sales. The creation of a DOJ office dedicated to Second Amendment enforcement signals increased scrutiny of state and local gun laws, potentially discouraging cities or states from adopting new restrictions. At the same time, gun safety advocates warn that loosening regulations could increase gun violence and undermine public safety efforts supported by a majority of Americans. Ultimately, these changes point to the future direction of federal gun policy. With Congress, the courts, and the executive branch all actively involved, the coming year will determine whether gun rights expand, gun controls tighten, or gridlock leaves many questions unresolved. Regardless of the outcome, this period of rapid change is likely to shape U.S. firearm law well beyond 2025.