The Biden administration on Thursday announced they are closing what is often known as the "," by tightening up the definition of what it means to be "engaged in the business" of selling firearms.
The administration rolled out the proposed rule in September 2023, taking in over 300,000 comments from the public., those "engaged in the business" of firearms dealer were required to register to become a federally licensed firearm dealer, according to the language previously used. The definition that ATF is implementing on Thursday is more specific to better regulate the market in accordance with the new federal law, according to the White House.
By being more specific and precise in the definition, Administration officials on a call with reporters said it would require more people to register for a federal selling license and run a background check on the person they are selling to.said in a statement he has spent time with people who lost loved ones to gun violence, and that he is taking action to make sure fewer guns are sold without background checks.
There are over 80,000 licensed gun dealers in America. The Department of Justice estimates that there are over 20,000 unlicensed sellers who are selling firearms through online advertisements, gun shows and other means, according to the White House.