Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09157
AimHiOpposeBusiness
Summary: A local firearms dealer in Ohio opposes the proposed rule, arguing that it favors large online retailers over local businesses and undermines safety by allowing remote transactions that are harder to monitor for straw purchases. The commenter requests that the direct-shipping provisions for standard firearms be struck from the final rule.
I have been generally pleased with the direction ATF is going with rules pertaining to FFLs; however, this rule is completely misguided. As a dealer in Ohio, I see daily how in-person contact prevents straw purchases that a video call can never catch. We have even worked with local ATF agents when we realized there was a straw-purchase ring happening--using online gun sales--and the criminals were using our store to perpetrate it. Without the required local transfer, that ring might still be operating. ATF’s own report (91 FR 25216, p. 25224) admits this change offers little benefit, guessing at a seven-dollar fee for buyers and low adoption by shops. Plus, the mandatory seven-day wait makes the whole process slower than just visiting a store. The government should not favor big online retailers by gutting the local businesses that keep communities safe; and while I don't think the government has an obligation to keep us in business, the truth is this rule will kill local gun shops. I am fine with the old NFA rules that require real approval, but please strike the new direct-shipping provisions for standard firearms from this final rule. This will only give fodder to the anti-gun groups who already believe you can buy a gun online without any checks.