Gun Control Advocates Say Trump Administration Has Effectively Legalized Machine Guns With New Policy

President Donald Trump and his administration have taken a step toward legalizing machine guns and customizations of firearms, gun control groups say.

Last week, the Trump administration allowed the sale and ownership of devices that customize standard guns to fire like machine guns. The decision was reached after the Justice Department settled a lawsuit brought by the National Association for Gun Rights.

The National Association for Gun Rights challenged legislation during the Biden administration, in which the judge in the case declared the ban to be unlawful.

Previously, the Biden administration argued that firearms similar to AR-15s have been used in mass shootings all over the world. The vice president of the national gun violence prevention group Giffords, Vanessa Gonzalez, stated that the Trump administration has essentially legalized the use of machine guns and that this decision will result in the deaths of many.

The administration has made significant changes in gun policies since Trump returned to office for a second term. The newly passed GOP budget mega bill eliminates the $200 tax on gun silencers. Coupled with the legalization of customizing firearms to fire like machine guns, it marks a significant shift in gun policies.

Aside from gun policies, the Trump administration has already blocked grants and support for gun violence awareness and prevention programs. It blocked $1 billion for student mental health programs that focus on the impact of gun violence, especially following the recent mass shooting at Uvalde, Texas, three years ago.

The Justice Department has also suspended hundreds of grants to local organizations and communities that support gun violence prevention programs.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi has stated that the Justice Department will vigorously enforce the 2nd Amendment’s right to bear arms.