Trump’s Justice Department creates a new division to protect Second Amendment rights for gun owners

Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi created a Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force within the Department of Justice, which included proposals to make it simpler for former felons to legally obtain firearms. Now, the Trump administration is advancing its pro-gun agenda further.

The Washington Times reports that the Justice Department is launching a new office entirely focused on gun ownership rights. Named the Second Amendment Rights Section, this unit will operate under the Civil Rights Division and is tasked with protecting Americans right to bear arms. Harmeet Dhillon, head of the division, confirmed the offices mission.

Bondi emphasized the departments commitment to gun rights, stating, The Second Amendment is not a second-class right. My Justice Department will continue to be the most pro-Second Amendment Justice Department in history.

This initiative comes alongside significant policy changes that have reshaped federal gun oversight. Earlier reports indicated that Bondis Justice Department planned to reduce by two-thirds the number of inspectors monitoring federally licensed gun dealers, limiting the governments ability to track potential illegal sales. Additionally, the administration approved the sale of forced reset triggers, which increase the firing speed of semi-automatic firearms, citing public safety benefits.

Following the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, there was bipartisan support for funding student mental health programs to prevent future tragedies. The Trump administration, however, blocked $1 billion in grants for these initiatives, arguing they were no longer in the federal governments best interest. Around the same time, the department canceled hundreds of other grants, including programs aimed at reducing gun violence in local communities.

With the establishment of the Second Amendment Rights Section, the Justice Department now has an office devoted exclusively to advocating for gun owners. This move highlights a shift from the first term, during which the administration occasionally supported more ambitious gun control measures, including potential temporary confiscations of firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.

Despite past efforts to implement stricter controls following mass shootings, the current administration is prioritizing the protection and expansion of gun rights, signaling a continued commitment to the Second Amendment.

Author: Connor Blake