Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the formation of a 2nd Amendment Task Force at the Department of Justice on April 9. Bondi stated, “The prior administration placed an undue burden on gun owners and vendors by targeting law-abiding citizens exercising their 2nd Amendment rights.” She added, “The Department of Justice’s new 2nd Amendment Task Force will combine department-wide policy and litigation resources to advance President Trump’s pro-gun agenda and protect gun owners from overreach.”
This initiative follows the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) repealing the Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy on April 7. It also includes the review of two final rules concerning firearm regulations—2021R-08F, pertaining to stabilizing braces, and 2022R-17F, defining “engaging in the business” of firearms dealing.
According to the full memo released on April 8, the intention behind the task force is to ensure the Second Amendment, which affirms Americans’ right to keep and bear arms, receives appropriate prioritization. The memo states, “For too long, the Second Amendment, which establishes the fundamental individual right of Americans to keep and bear arms, has been treated as a second-class right. No more. It is the policy of this Department of Justice to use its full might to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
The memo further elaborates on the directive from President Trump, noting that protecting Second Amendment rights is a priority for his administration. The President described the amendment as “an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty,” asserting that it is “foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans.” Executive Order 14206 sections emphasize these points, alongside a proposed action plan to safeguard Second Amendment rights for all Americans.
Attorney General Bondi will chair the task force, supported by the Associate Attorney General as Vice Chair. The task force includes members from various offices and divisions within the DOJ, as well as components of the ATF and the FBI. The mission of the task force is to develop and execute strategies using litigation and policy to support and protect the Second Amendment.
