Overview

• Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security revoked the 2024 interim final rule, restoring earlier licensing terms and easing some documentation requirements while projecting hundreds of millions of dollars a year in new export opportunities.
• The Biden-era restrictions had barred civilian transfers to individuals in 36 high‑risk countries, shortened license validity to about one year, and added purchase orders and ID checks to curb straw purchases, with officials estimating a 7% annual export reduction of roughly $40 million.
• Industry groups, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation, praised the move as restoring U.S. competitiveness, with manufacturers such as Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Smith & Wesson positioned to benefit from reopened markets.
• Critics, including Rep. Gregory Meeks, warned the change heightens diversion risks, pointing to a GAO finding that 73% of firearms recovered in Caribbean crimes originated in the United States.
• Most pistols, rifles, and non‑long‑barrel shotguns will still require export licenses, while long‑barrel shotguns and many scopes can ship license‑free to U.S. allies, under a system that has overseen commercial gun exports at Commerce since a 2020 shift from State.