Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09157

The proposed direct-shipping provisions in Docket ATF-2026-0266 would have a significant and disproportionate impact on local federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs). If manufacturers & large online retailers are permitted to ship firearms directly to purchasers, many small brick-and-mortar gun shops will lose the customer traffic that supports their businesses. These local dealers provide far more than a point of sale—they offer safety education, secure and legal transfers, compliance expertise, product knowledge, and ongoing service that cannot be replicated through an online transaction. Unlike the National Firearms Act (NFA) process, which requires affirmative government approval before a firearm may be transferred, this proposal would allow a transfer to proceed if seven days pass after notice is provided. That represents a substantial departure from the existing framework for firearm transfers that includes verifying the residence of the person purchasing the firearm. The proposed rule also acknowledges that purchasers may incur additional costs associated with identity verification, creating new financial burdens for law-abiding firearm owners while offering uncertain benefits. At the same time, the rule would shift a larger share of firearm sales to national online retailers, placing independent local FFLs at a competitive disadvantage and threatening businesses that serve as important community resources. Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses comprise 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, employ approximately 62.3 million Americans, and generate approximately 43.5% of the nation's GDP. Beyond their economic contribution, dollars spent at locally owned businesses circulate within the local economy significantly longer than dollars spent at large national retailers, supporting additional jobs, local tax revenue, and other small businesses throughout the community. For these reasons, I respectfully urge ATF to remove the direct-shipping provisions from the final rule and preserve the role of local licensed firearms dealers in maintaining public safety, regulatory compliance, and access to knowledgeable, community-based service.