Gun Rights Groups Respond to New DOJ Initiative

Gun rights organizations are expressing skepticism about the Trump Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent decision to form a Division of Second Amendment Rights. Frustration remains over the DOJ’s litigious approach, leading advocates to withhold judgment and hope this new initiative isn’t merely a public relations move.

Eric Pratt, executive vice president of the Gun Owners Association of America (GOA), commented that the DOJ’s views on Second Amendment rights haven’t improved much in recent years. “This Department of Justice has been consistently opposed in nearly every legal dispute we’ve faced,” he said.

Recently, the DOJ submitted a brief requesting the court to dismiss a lawsuit from GOA that challenged a now-repealed policy, as well as to uphold regulations like the ban on machine guns from 1986. The GOA is particularly concerned that the DOJ may not support challenges to the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), branding it a “blatant attack on the Second Amendment.”

Some gun manufacturers, along with GOA, are preparing to contest the NFA in July, particularly focusing on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they argue undermines the constitutional basis for NFA’s registration requirements.

Pratt questioned the effectiveness of a new office, stating, “A new office does not erase the record of hostility.” However, he noted that if the Office of Civil Rights builds on its recent pro-Second Amendment actions, it could lead to meaningful outcomes. “Words and press releases mean nothing. Gun owners will judge this office by its actions,” he added.

The DOJ has yet to comment on these concerns.

In a court filing on November 20th, the DOJ claimed that the issue at hand wasn’t whether the NFA was good policy but whether Congress acted beyond its authority in establishing such regulations. Meanwhile, Georgia Congressman Andrew Clyde and 30 other Republicans have urged the DOJ to declare the NFA unconstitutional, emphasizing that transfer and registration requirements should not apply to firearms subject to zero tax.

Other groups, like the National Rifle Organization (NRO), joined the fight against the NFA in October. The Firearms Policy Coalition has also urged the DOJ to collaborate with organizations pursuing long-term strategies, highlighting the importance of meaningful support for Second Amendment rights.

President Trump had previously issued an executive order that emphasized Second Amendment rights, which some groups welcomed, especially in contrast to the Biden administration’s policies. Under the current DOJ, there have been notable changes, including a reversal of stricter standards imposed on federal firearms dealers.

Even though many organizations are disappointed with certain lawsuits, there’s a sense of optimism about potential changes ahead. Bill Sack from the Second Amendment Foundation acknowledged progress but noted, “There is still much work to be done and some notable opportunities for improvement.”

Larry Keene from the National Shooting Sports Foundation described the establishment of the new office as a positive development that indicates a shift in federal policy towards protecting Second Amendment rights.