A proposal has been put forward in the US for one of the most significant relaxations of firearms sales regulations in the last two decades. The new rules could significantly boost online sales, with GrabAGun – a company in which Donald Trump Jr is a shareholder – set to be one of the main beneficiaries.
- New rules on the sale of firearms with home delivery are being proposed in the US.
- GrabAGun, in which Trump Jr is a shareholder, stands to make millions.
- Critics point to the risks to public safety.
- The ATF estimates that 3.3 million Americans are able to buy guns online.
- Trump Jr. denies any involvement in the drafting of the new rules.
The Trump administration is proposing changes to the rules on the sale of firearms
A proposal has been put forward in the US for one of the most far-reaching relaxations of firearms sales regulations in the last two decades. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) wants to to allow licensed retailers to deliver firearms directly to customers’ homes within the same state. To obtain a firearm, the purchaser will be required to undergo an online identity check and a background check, and to wait for a period of seven days following notification of the local law enforcement authorities.
At present, firearms purchased online must be collected in person from a licensed shop after passing a background check.
GrabAGun could be the overall winner
An online shop could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new rules GrabAGun, which is known as the «Amazon of firearms». The company specialises in the online sale of firearms, and its shareholders and board members include Donald Trump Jr.. He holds over 300,000 shares in the company. According to GrabAGun’s management, the new rules could significantly accelerate the growth of online sales, although the full impact is still being analysed.
Trump Jr. denies any involvement
A spokesperson for Trump Jr. stated that he had no involvement whatsoever in the drafting of the new regulations. The White House also stated that it had no information regarding any interaction between the president’s son and federal agencies concerning this initiative. ATF officials emphasised that the proposal had been drawn up independently, and that Trump Jr’s connection with GrabAGun only came to light following an enquiry from Reuters journalists.
Opponents are warning of the risks
Organisations campaigning for gun control have strongly criticised the new proposal. In their view, home delivery of firearms could increase the illegal trade in weapons, facilitate so-called «test purchases», raise the risk of theft during delivery and make it more difficult to verify the identity of the actual purchaser. Furthermore, owners of small shops fear a loss of income, as they currently earn money from processing the transfer of firearms purchased online.
Why it matters
If the new rules come into force, the online firearms market in the US could undergo a radical change. According to ATF estimates, in future, nearly 3.3 million Americans could purchase firearms with home delivery each year. This could generate significant profits for large online retailers, but at the same time it is sparking heated debate over safety and a potential conflict of interest due to Donald Trump Jr.’s links with one of the largest retailers.
