Congressional Republicans plan to introduce legislation to repeal a recent Biden administration regulation. This regulation expands federal background checks for gun purchases. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a rule, “Definition of ‘Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms.” It extends federal background checks to gun purchases made at gun shows, online websites, and between private individuals.
The rule faces strong opposition from congressional Republicans and gun rights groups. Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina plan to introduce legislation to repeal the rule after it comes into effect. “Sens. Cornyn and Tillis plan to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn this unconstitutional rule,” a spokesperson for Cornyn said.
A companion bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress to repeal federal regulations within the last 60 legislative days after they come into effect.
Cornyn and Tillis argue that the rule is not based on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). The DOJ cited this act in their press release. “The vast majority of the ATF rule announced today is not based on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and any claim otherwise from the administration is an outright lie,” Cornyn and Tillis said in a statement.
Gun rights groups, such as the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Advocacy (NRA-ILA), claim that the expanded definition of “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms will effectively prevent private gun sales. “The ‘engaged in the business’ rule is designed to circumvent the U.S. Congress to criminalize, or give the appearance of criminalizing, the private transfer of firearms,” the NRA-ILA said in a statement.