DOJ Drops Appeal, Will Not Defend Biden-Era ‘Engaged in the Business’ Gun Control

April 17, 2026
9:31 am

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In a swift victory for Second Amendment advocates, President Trump's Department of Justice has officially dropped its appeal of a federal court ruling that struck down the Biden-era ATF's engaged in the business rule—a regulatory overreach masquerading as gun control. Issued in 2024 under the ATF's Biden-appointed leadership, this rule dramatically expanded the definition of who qualifies as a dealer under federal law, forcing law-abiding Americans to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and run background checks even for occasional private sales at gun shows or among friends. The U.S. District Court for Northern Texas ruled in September that the ATF exceeded its statutory authority, correctly noting that the rule twisted the plain language of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which targets repetitive, profit-driven commerce—not hobbyists or one-off transactions. By abandoning the appeal on Thursday, Trump's DOJ signals a decisive pivot away from the administrative state's endless war on gun owners. This isn't just bureaucratic housekeeping; it's a seismic shift with profound implications for the 2A community. The Biden rule was a stealthy end-run around Congress, aiming to universalize background checks without passing actual legislation—a tactic straight out of the progressive playbook that's been thwarted before, from the stalled universal background check bills to failed assaults on private transfers. Now, with the appeal dead, private sales remain untouched by federal mandates, preserving a cornerstone of American gun culture: the right to buy, sell, or trade firearms without Big Brother's permission slip. For collectors, hunters, and everyday carriers, this means fewer compliance headaches, lower legal risks, and more freedom to engage in the firearms marketplace as free citizens. Trump's DOJ move underscores a pro-2A administration's willingness to dismantle the ATF's empire-building, potentially paving the way for broader rollbacks like revisiting pistol brace rules or the bump stock ban. Gun owners should celebrate this as a reminder that elections have consequences—and courts matter. But vigilance is key: anti-gun groups like Everytown are already howling, and blue-state attorneys general might try local workarounds. Stock up on ammo, stay informed, and keep the pressure on. This win reinforces that the Second Amendment isn't a suggestion; it's the law of the land, and with allies in power, we're clawing back ground the gun-grabbers thought they'd seized for good.

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In a swift victory for Second Amendment advocates, President Trump’s Department of Justice has officially dropped its appeal of a federal court ruling that struck down the Biden-era ATF’s engaged in the business rule—a regulatory overreach masquerading as gun control. Issued in 2024 under the ATF’s Biden-appointed leadership, this rule dramatically expanded the definition of who qualifies as a dealer under federal law, forcing law-abiding Americans to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and run background checks even for occasional private sales at gun shows or among friends. The U.S. District Court for Northern Texas ruled in September that the ATF exceeded its statutory authority, correctly noting that the rule twisted the plain language of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which targets repetitive, profit-driven commerce—not hobbyists or one-off transactions. By abandoning the appeal on Thursday, Trump’s DOJ signals a decisive pivot away from the administrative state’s endless war on gun owners.

This isn’t just bureaucratic housekeeping; it’s a seismic shift with profound implications for the 2A community. The Biden rule was a stealthy end-run around Congress, aiming to universalize background checks without passing actual legislation—a tactic straight out of the progressive playbook that’s been thwarted before, from the stalled universal background check bills to failed assaults on private transfers. Now, with the appeal dead, private sales remain untouched by federal mandates, preserving a cornerstone of American gun culture: the right to buy, sell, or trade firearms without Big Brother’s permission slip. For collectors, hunters, and everyday carriers, this means fewer compliance headaches, lower legal risks, and more freedom to engage in the firearms marketplace as free citizens. Trump’s DOJ move underscores a pro-2A administration’s willingness to dismantle the ATF’s empire-building, potentially paving the way for broader rollbacks like revisiting pistol brace rules or the bump stock ban.

Gun owners should celebrate this as a reminder that elections have consequences—and courts matter. But vigilance is key: anti-gun groups like Everytown are already howling, and blue-state attorneys general might try local workarounds. Stock up on ammo, stay informed, and keep the pressure on. This win reinforces that the Second Amendment isn’t a suggestion; it’s the law of the land, and with allies in power, we’re clawing back ground the gun-grabbers thought they’d seized for good.

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