Biden administration criticized by GOP for rule allegedly aimed at harming gun industry. Senate Republicans are scrutinizing President Biden’s Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, over a new rule that they claim is designed to “intentionally harm” the US firearm industry. The rule, announced last month, would revoke valid export licenses from American companies that authorize exports of firearms to non-government end users in certain areas.
The Department of Commerce claims the rule is intended to reduce the risk of legally exported firearms being diverted or misused, but Republicans argue it is an example of the Biden administration using the rule-making process to target legal US industries and advance progressive policies.
Led by Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), 23 Senate Republicans signed a letter to Raimondo calling on the administration to withdraw the “deeply misguided rule” and its associated license revocations. The letter alleges that the new policy is an attempt to “intentionally harm” the firearms industry and that it is unprecedented to revoke existing licensing for 36 countries and subject current license holders to a new licensing system.
The lawmakers also requested that two officials from the Bureau of Industry and Security be made available to potentially testify before the banking committee. The correspondence was co-led by Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and signed by several other senators, including Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).
“We are concerned that the Department issued the Rule in an attempt to intentionally harm the firearms industry,” the letter continued.
Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), told Fox News Digital that the rule is “another example of the Biden administration’s whole-of-government attack on the firearm industry for political purposes.” He added that the rule will result in lost sales earnings and cost Americans good-paying manufacturing jobs, and that there is no foundation to the administration’s claim that the rule is necessary to reduce overseas crime or improve national security.
This development highlights the ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and Republicans over gun control and the firearms industry. The administration has taken several steps to restrict access to firearms, including executive actions and legislative proposals, which have been met with resistance from Republicans and the firearms industry. The new rule is likely to further escalate these tensions and spark debate over the role of government in regulating the firearms industry.
The firearms industry is a significant contributor to the US economy, with millions of Americans employed in the industry and billions of dollars in revenue generated each year. The industry has long been a target of progressive politicians and activists, who argue that stricter regulations are needed to reduce gun violence and prevent the misuse of firearms.
However, Republicans and industry advocates argue that the new rule is an example of government overreach and an attempt to undermine the Second Amendment rights of Americans. They point out that the rule would revoke licenses for exports to countries that are not subject to arms embargoes and have a legitimate need for firearms, such as for self-defense or hunting.
The rule is also seen as part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to restrict access to firearms, including executive actions and legislative proposals aimed at expanding background checks, banning certain types of firearms and accessories, and increasing funding for gun violence prevention programs.
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