The Trump administration is reportedly considering new restrictions on gun ownership for transgender Americans, sparking outrage from gun rights advocates and civil liberties groups alike. This potential policy shift follows a recent deadly school shooting in Minneapolis and has thrust President Trump's record on the Second Amendment back into the spotlight.
DOJ Considers Controversial Restrictions
Reports indicate that the Justice Department is exploring whether to use its rulemaking authority to restrict gun ownership for transgender individuals, potentially classifying them as mentally ill and thus ineligible to possess firearms. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described the discussions as "very preliminary, low-level discussions" within the Justice Department.
NRA Responds: "Second Amendment Isn't Up for Debate"
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has voiced its opposition to any blanket rule that limits Second Amendment rights. In a social media post, the NRA stated, "The NRA supports the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans to purchase, possess and use firearms. NRA does not, and will not, support any policy proposals that implement sweeping gun bans that arbitrarily strip law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights without due process."
The NRA confirmed to CNN that its statement was a direct response to the Justice Department discussions.
- Gun rights groups argue any such rule would be overly broad.
- Civil rights groups claim it would unconstitutionally target a minority group's rights.
- There is no evidence to suggest transgender people are more likely to commit mass attacks.
Far-Right Influence?
Some reports suggest that far-right influencers have been pushing for such a ban, raising concerns about their influence on the Trump administration's policies. This raises questions about the direction of policy-making, with influencers potentially steering federal agencies rather than the other way around.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear whether the Trump administration will ultimately move forward with these restrictions. However, the discussions have already generated significant controversy and debate about gun rights and discrimination.