STATEMENT: New Firearm Export Regulations Will Advance U.S. National Security Interests

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced new regulations to tighten firearm export controls and evaluate foreign policy risks before selling U.S.-made guns overseas. The new policies will increase accountability and transparency by requiring documentation and analyzing data to identify potential sales that pose a heightened risk of diversion or misuse. Following the announcement, Nick Wilson, senior director for Gun Violence Prevention at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:

By enacting these regulations and committing to their effective implementation, the United States has the opportunity to mitigate the risks posed by irresponsible arms exports while advancing our national security interests. These are important steps, but significant gaps remain. Congress must stop prioritizing gun industry profits over national security and human rights by passing the ARMAS Act, introduced by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), to ensure that the United States leads by example in promoting safety and stability both at home and abroad

Related resources: 

• “A New Lawsuit Illustrates the Problem of U.S. Guns in Mexico” by Eugenio Weigend Vargas and Joel Martinez
• “Beyond Our Borders but Within Our Control: How U.S. Gun Policy Influences Violence in Mexico” by Eugenio Weigend Vargas and Rukmani Bhatia
• “Guns Without Borders” (event recording)
• “A Mother’s Plea to Stop the Flow of U.S. Guns to Mexico” (video)

For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].