Federal Judge Permanently Blocks Key ATF Firearms Sales Rule Against NRA Members

A federal judge in Alabama has ruled that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) exceeded its authority with its 2024 Final Rule redefining who is "engaged in the business" of dealing firearms, which broadened licensing requirements to include even occasional firearms sales by hobbyists. The case, Butler v. Bondi, involved plaintiffs including gun collectors Don Butler and David Glidewell and the National Rifle Association (NRA), who argued the rule criminalized innocent activities such as casual buying, selling, or trading of firearms to build personal collections. U.S. District Judge Corey L. Maze permanently blocked enforcement of multiple provisions of the rule against the plaintiffs, holding that the ATF's expansive interpretation conflicted with the Gun Control Act's intent that being "engaged in the business" requires regular, repeated transactions rather than single or occasional sales. The ruling provides relief to law-abiding gun owners concerned about facing federal prosecution for casual firearm transactions and represents a significant win for gun rights advocates. Though the injunction currently applies only to the plaintiffs, similar challenges and injunctions have been made elsewhere. This decision contrasts with other Biden-era gun regulations upheld by the Supreme Court, highlighting ongoing legal battles over the scope of federal gun control enforcement.