The Department of Justice is taking steps to fully restore Second Amendment protections by overturning a Biden-era policy that resulted in the highest number of gun store closures in 16 years.
In a significant victory for constitutional rights and gun owners nationwide, the DOJ has officially rescinded the Biden administration’s controversial “zero tolerance” policy, an aggressive directive that led to the shutdown of federally licensed firearm (FFL) dealers over minor clerical mistakes, Restoration News reports.
“For years, the Zero Tolerance Policy has been a tool of political retribution—targeting gun stores and Americans who were simply trying to exercise their rights,” said Gun Owners of America (GOA) Senior Vice President Erich Pratt.
“We applaud President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Kash Patel for listening to gun owners and taking action to repeal this abusive policy. This is what pro-gun leadership looks like,” Pratt added.
During the Biden administration, Congress blocked several Democratic attempts to directly weaken Second Amendment protections, prompting the federal government to use the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a backdoor tool for gun control. More than 300 law-abiding federally licensed firearm (FFL) dealers were subjected to raids and investigations—efforts critics say were aimed not at addressing real threats, but at manufacturing violations through regulatory entrapment.
The result was a surge in license revocations, reaching a 16-year high under the administration’s controversial policy, which bypassed due process for apparent political ends.
In many instances, FFL holders lost their businesses and primary sources of income. One such case involved Tennessee store owner J.C. Harrison, who in 2022 had his license revoked for what the ATF deemed violations—issues like delays in background checks and incomplete repair logs. Harrison, who had no prior history of misconduct, appealed the decision but was ultimately denied.
“This was an attack on the Second Amendment through the back door,” he said. “My wife and I, this was our sole income, and it’s not anymore.”
By expanding the definition of what constituted a “willful” violation and instructing inspectors to crack down on minor clerical errors, the Biden administration effectively launched a campaign against law-abiding gun store owners. As a result, the ATF revoked 92 licenses in 2020 and more than 200 in 2024.
“That’s not how regulatory agencies are supposed to work in the sector that they’re supposed to regulate. They are supposed to help the companies, they’re supposed to ensure compliance, but they’re not supposed to punish and destroy an entire industry based on just political opposition or political distaste,” said Gun Owners of America Director of Federal Affairs Aidan Johnston.
The move represents a major step by the White House to restore Second Amendment rights and fulfills President Donald Trump’s day-one pledge to defend gun ownership in America.
Since taking office, Trump has disbanded the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and directed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to review all federal firearm laws to ensure they are consistent with the Constitution, the outlet noted.
With the repeal of the “zero tolerance” policy, FFL licensees can now operate without the constant threat of arbitrary investigations. For the hundreds of dealers penalized under the Biden administration, the policy reversal offers a potential path to regaining their FFL status.