On June 28, 2024, the Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s interim final rule that includes key policy updates and more rigorous standards of review for firearm export applications. The rule, which went into effect on May 30, 2024, enhances the Commerce Department’s licensing policies for firearm exports by including changes that are necessary to evaluate foreign policy risks and prevent violence and instability.
This interim final rule comes four years after the Trump administration transferred firearm export oversight authority from the U.S. Department of State to the Commerce Department. Prior to this rule, the more permissive licensing framework led to an increase in the transfer of firearms later diverted to adversaries, including Russia, as well as transfers to countries mired in violent conflict, human rights abuses, corruption, and other ills.
CAP commends the Commerce Department’s efforts to reduce the risk of firearms being used to commit political violence, human rights abuses, and other destabilizing activities that undermine U.S. national security. The rule could be strengthened by adding a presumption of denial to applications for assault weapon exports to nongovernmental actors—including more details about the working group and its methodology for evaluating risk factors—and requirements for increased transparency and data sharing.
Click here to read CAP’s comment letter on the Commerce Department’s interim final rule.