TAW122
Emissary of the right to die.
- Aug 30, 2018
- 6,820
Disclaimer: While this post may be political in nature due to the recent 2024 Election results and the upcoming presidential administration, I will aim to try to focus on the effects it will have with regards to firearm regulations as there are quite a few people who may be considering the firearm as their method of choice when it comes to CTB. Also, keep in mind I'm not a political expert, not a lawyer or legal expert, and all of the information in this article is based on my opinion and knowledge of the current laws as well as predictions and speculations on how potential changes may affect them. I'm also writing this article in hopes that people may be able to use the information and current (as well as future) regulations towards firearms ownership to best determine what they can do with future changes to various laws.
So recently, it is no surprise that Trump has won the election and will be the US's president for the next 4 years. With that said, based on the upcoming administration, given there is likely a full Republican control of the Congress in both chambers, the House (they are only 4 seats from a slim majority) and the Senate, as well the Supreme Court, it is likely there will be several changes to firearms regulations. Also both the president and vice president are very pro-gun and ran part of their campaign on it, which means that they are likely to oppose many of the regulations that are put into place years ago. Here are some of the changes (albeit not comprehensive, but just a few that I could think of) that may come into play:
The ATF and it's enforcement of firearms regulations at the federal level:
Given how J.D. Vance is calling for the dissolution of the ATF or at least curtailing it's budget and authority, we could see less overreach from the federal government. It could mean that the ATF having fewer resources would not enforce the laws as aggressively (only focusing on the biggest fish to fry), but no guarantees though. At least, certain things like suppressors, and other NFA items may change, too early to tell though.
Keep in mind that of course with Blue States there may still be regulations at the State level that may still be stricter than federal law, though that may be more complex because in some cases federal law may supercede state law, while in other instances not so much. However, given how the Supreme Court is more conservative now, certain laws that make it to the Supreme Court may be ruled unconstitutional.
Red flag laws and protection orders:
There are talks of how red flag laws are unconstitutional and while blue states may still have their own versions, it is possible that any federal legislation to enact a federal, or nationwide red flag law across ALL states is unlikely given the current party in charge as well as the president's policies. If such a law were to even pass the House, let alone the Senate, it is likely Trump will veto it. Blue states may still implement such policies, but if challenged through the Supreme Court, given how it's packed with conservatives, it may be found unconstitutional and struck down.
Universal background checks and the gunshow loophole:
There has been a lot of push-back with universal background checks and various states still have the gunshow loophole (or even private sales between private citizens). Given the upcoming administration, it is likely that they would repeal any law that they deem to be an infringement on the citizens' 2nd amendment rights. Certainly, at the least, any attempt to close the loophole (including the private sales between private citizens) or implementing a background check for all gun sales will likely fail before it reaches the president's desk, then of course, the president could also veto the bill.
Any attempt to have a registry or database or any study about gun violence:
It is not surprise that any attempt to fund gun violence research isn't as well supported by the public, and even less support for any potential infringement of privacy or even gun rights by the government through a registry system. Therefore, it is even less likely that they will have such laws (except again in very blue states, namely NY, CA, OR, WA, NJ, MA, etc. to name a few), and again, any bill or proposal for such policies would be political CTB for most candidates, if not very unpopular propositions. Basically any additional regulations to make firearms ownership more cumbersome will likely not pass.
Bans on certain weaponry, ammo, magazine size, and more:
It is also no surprise that most US citizens that support the 2A will also oppose any restriction or changes towards certain weapons, the kind of ammo one can possess, how much ammo one can possess, the kinds of accessories one can have. I do believe that with the new administration, they will either rollback some of the existing policies, or at the minimum ensure no additional restrictions to limit what a law abiding citizen may legally possess too.
In conclusion, there are likely more things that could potentially change, but these are the ones that come to mind. Also, while it may not directly affect as many people as once predicted or assumed, there will likely be certain regulations that would certainly make legally acquiring one easier, or even smoother, especially anything that has to go through background checks, or any regulation that adds additional prohibitive factors to would be prospective firearms owners. Keep in mind I am NOT a lawyer, legal expert, nor political science expert and everything I said in this article is purely speculation and just my opinion. Feel free to discuss and give your thoughts on the potential changes for the 2nd amendment and firearm ownership in the coming future.
So recently, it is no surprise that Trump has won the election and will be the US's president for the next 4 years. With that said, based on the upcoming administration, given there is likely a full Republican control of the Congress in both chambers, the House (they are only 4 seats from a slim majority) and the Senate, as well the Supreme Court, it is likely there will be several changes to firearms regulations. Also both the president and vice president are very pro-gun and ran part of their campaign on it, which means that they are likely to oppose many of the regulations that are put into place years ago. Here are some of the changes (albeit not comprehensive, but just a few that I could think of) that may come into play:
The ATF and it's enforcement of firearms regulations at the federal level:
Given how J.D. Vance is calling for the dissolution of the ATF or at least curtailing it's budget and authority, we could see less overreach from the federal government. It could mean that the ATF having fewer resources would not enforce the laws as aggressively (only focusing on the biggest fish to fry), but no guarantees though. At least, certain things like suppressors, and other NFA items may change, too early to tell though.
Keep in mind that of course with Blue States there may still be regulations at the State level that may still be stricter than federal law, though that may be more complex because in some cases federal law may supercede state law, while in other instances not so much. However, given how the Supreme Court is more conservative now, certain laws that make it to the Supreme Court may be ruled unconstitutional.
Red flag laws and protection orders:
There are talks of how red flag laws are unconstitutional and while blue states may still have their own versions, it is possible that any federal legislation to enact a federal, or nationwide red flag law across ALL states is unlikely given the current party in charge as well as the president's policies. If such a law were to even pass the House, let alone the Senate, it is likely Trump will veto it. Blue states may still implement such policies, but if challenged through the Supreme Court, given how it's packed with conservatives, it may be found unconstitutional and struck down.
Universal background checks and the gunshow loophole:
There has been a lot of push-back with universal background checks and various states still have the gunshow loophole (or even private sales between private citizens). Given the upcoming administration, it is likely that they would repeal any law that they deem to be an infringement on the citizens' 2nd amendment rights. Certainly, at the least, any attempt to close the loophole (including the private sales between private citizens) or implementing a background check for all gun sales will likely fail before it reaches the president's desk, then of course, the president could also veto the bill.
Any attempt to have a registry or database or any study about gun violence:
It is not surprise that any attempt to fund gun violence research isn't as well supported by the public, and even less support for any potential infringement of privacy or even gun rights by the government through a registry system. Therefore, it is even less likely that they will have such laws (except again in very blue states, namely NY, CA, OR, WA, NJ, MA, etc. to name a few), and again, any bill or proposal for such policies would be political CTB for most candidates, if not very unpopular propositions. Basically any additional regulations to make firearms ownership more cumbersome will likely not pass.
Bans on certain weaponry, ammo, magazine size, and more:
It is also no surprise that most US citizens that support the 2A will also oppose any restriction or changes towards certain weapons, the kind of ammo one can possess, how much ammo one can possess, the kinds of accessories one can have. I do believe that with the new administration, they will either rollback some of the existing policies, or at the minimum ensure no additional restrictions to limit what a law abiding citizen may legally possess too.
In conclusion, there are likely more things that could potentially change, but these are the ones that come to mind. Also, while it may not directly affect as many people as once predicted or assumed, there will likely be certain regulations that would certainly make legally acquiring one easier, or even smoother, especially anything that has to go through background checks, or any regulation that adds additional prohibitive factors to would be prospective firearms owners. Keep in mind I am NOT a lawyer, legal expert, nor political science expert and everything I said in this article is purely speculation and just my opinion. Feel free to discuss and give your thoughts on the potential changes for the 2nd amendment and firearm ownership in the coming future.