Murphy Mobilizes Senate Democrats Against Trump's Radical ATF Rule Changes, Historic Assault on Public Safety Nationwide

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led a group of Democrats in filing a series of official comments against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' (ATF) April 2026 proposed regulatory changes to federal firearms law. Murphy's comments opposed recent sweeping rule changes promulgated by the ATF, which would create easy access to dangerous weapons, dramatically undercut law enforcement's efforts to fight and prevent crime, and put communities across the country at risk of significant increases in gun crime and gun violence.

Murphy authored five comments in opposition to the proposed ATF rule changes, spanning lifted import restrictions on training rounds and dual-use weapons, blatant discrimination against gun owners on the basis of their gender identity, and the sweeping rescission of a 2024 rule clarifying the definition of "Engaged in the Business" (EITB) of firearms dealing. The 2024 rule modernized our firearms licensing system to support law enforcement in cracking down on rampant background check evasion by gun sellers. The EITB reforms were a centerpiece of Murphy's Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the most significant gun safety legislation in the last 30 years and a major driver of historic reductions in gun violence and gun deaths since its passage.

"No president has ever been so insistent on putting guns in the hands of violent criminals," said Murphy. "From top to bottom, these ATF rule changes are all about making sure Trump's gun industry donors can maximize their profits by ignoring the popular, common sense regulations that prevent gun crime and save lives. This fight isn't close to over and Senate Democrats will do all we can to stop this corrupt disaster before it takes effect."

Last month, Murphy sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche demanding answers on the DOJ and ATF's legalization of mail order gun sales, which would jeopardize public safety to the direct financial benefit of the President's son, Donald Trump Jr.

Each of Murphy's ATF comments, with respective Democratic co-signers, are available in full at the following links:

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Definition of "Engaged in the Business" as Dealer in Firearms
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Importing Training Rounds
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Dual-Use Frames, Receivers, or Barrels
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Selecting Biological Sex on ATF Forms
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Electronic Records