On July 1, 2024, the Center for American Progress and 34 organizations working on issues of national security, gun violence, arms control, and human rights sent a letter to Congress expressing support for the improvements to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s firearm export policy. The interim final rule, which was published on April 30, 2024, took effect on May 30, 2024, increases accountability and transparency over U.S. firearms exports. The rule requires additional documentation for some license applications; improves data collection for exports; limits exports to countries at high risk of diversion or misuse; and establishes an interagency working group to assess license applications, among other changes.
The letter highlights areas in which the new rules may be improved, but it argues that the rule contains necessary reforms to the department’s firearm export license review process to reduce the risk of weapons diversion or their use in political violence, human rights abuses, or other destabilizing activity. In order to protect the national security interests of the United States and prevent U.S. firearms from contributing to instability, violence, and rights abuse abroad, Congress must strongly oppose any efforts to undermine or nullify this rule.
Click here to read CAP’s letter to Congress on the Commerce Department’s interim final rule.