President Donald J. Trump on Friday evening, Feb. 7 signed an executive order to “protect and expand the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans,” according to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action in a statement. The executive order is not only the first action the president has taken to make good on his promise to gun owners and NRA members but it also directs the U.S. Attorney General to make recommendations to better protect the Second Amendment.
“Promises made to law-abiding gun owners are being kept by President Donald J. Trump,” said Doug Hamlin, NRA Executive Vice President and CEO, in a statement released by the nation’s gun-rights organization. “NRA members were instrumental, turning out in record numbers to secure his victory, and he is proving worthy of their votes, faith and confidence in his first days in office.”
As reported by the NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum, Trump’s order “goes further than merely eliminating the anti-gun actions of the last administration. It also requires the AG to take an all-of-government review to further enhance firearm rights.”
After simply stating that the “Second Amendment is an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty,” the president has commanded that within 30 days the “Attorney General shall examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments” regarding the executive branch’s promulgation of, safeguarding of and stance toward the Second Amendment. This includes “Rules promulgated by the Department of Justice, including by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, from January 2021 through January 2025 pertaining to firearms and/or Federal firearms licensees … Agencies’ plans, orders, and actions regarding the so-called ‘enhanced regulatory enforcement policy’ pertaining to firearms and/or Federal firearms licensees … The positions taken by the United States in any and all ongoing and potential litigation that affects or could affect the ability of Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights … Agencies’ classifications of firearms and ammunition … ” and “The processing of applications to make, manufacture, transfer, or export firearms.”
Section 3 of the order describes its implementation: “Upon submission of the proposed plan of action described in section 2 of this order, the Attorney General shall work with the Domestic Policy Advisor to finalize the plan of action and establish a process for implementation.”
The NRA Institute for Legislative Action, in a statement released Friday night, said, “President Trump has gone further than simply moving towards eliminating the anti-gun actions of the last administration.” Said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director: “After a long four years, law-abiding gun owners no longer have to worry about being the target of an anti-gun radical administration. NRA looks forward to the advances and restoration of our rights that will come from President Trump’s respect for the Constitution.”
