Ken Paxton Blocks Biden-Era ATF Ruling on Private Firearm Sales

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced a legal victory after a federal injunction blocking a Biden-era rule from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) remains in place, preventing its enforcement against private firearm sales.

The rule sought to expand the definition of who qualifies as a federally regulated firearm "dealer," a change critics argued would subject many private sellers to licensing requirements and potential criminal liability.

For decades, Congress has maintained a narrower definition, allowing law-abiding individuals to engage in limited private, non-commercial firearm transactions.

In May 2024, Paxton led a multistate coalition challenging the regulation, arguing it exceeded the ATF's statutory authority and infringed upon Second Amendment protections. A federal court subsequently issued a temporary restraining order followed by a preliminary injunction, halting enforcement of the rule in states involved in the lawsuit.

The court found that the regulation likely violated federal law by effectively shifting the burden onto firearm owners to prove compliance, warning it could "trigger civil or criminal penalties for conduct deemed lawful just yesterday."

The case took a further turn when the Trump administration moved to dismiss its appeal of the injunction, allowing the court's order to stand and ensuring continued protection from enforcement of the rule.

"The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of American freedom, and I will never allow it to be undermined by unlawful federal overreach," said Paxton. He described the rule as an attempt to criminalize lawful behavior and praised the outcome as a restoration of constitutional limits.

Supporters of the rule had argued it was intended to close loopholes and strengthen oversight of firearm sales, while opponents viewed it as regulatory overreach impacting lawful gun owners.

The preserved injunction represents a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over federal firearm regulations, underscoring broader disputes about the scope of agency authority and constitutional protections.