WASHINGTON (AP) — The Commerce Department on Friday announced new restrictions on U.S. firearms exports in an effort to prevent the guns from ending up in the hands of drug traffickers and criminals in other nations.
Oversight of legal firearms exports has become a political struggle in Washington since the Trump administration in 2020 moved oversight from the State Department to the Commerce Department — a move that was widely seen as favorable to the firearms industry. President Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign pledged to reverse the move “if needed.” Some Democratic lawmakers in Congress have since scrutinized the rate of approvals for gun exports, including semi-automatic guns, saying they lead to violence and unrest around the world.
The Commerce Department in October put a freeze on gun exports, which was criticized by the National Rifle Association as well as Republican lawmakers. On Friday, the Commerce Department said it would lift the hold on exports starting May 30, but with new rules and tougher review standards.
Judge delays murder trial for Indiana man charged in 2017 slayings of 2 teenage girls
Freight service in focus ahead of 6th CIIE
AlipayHK accepted for metro in Guangzhou
Trade relations between China, Australia shine
Pope Francis appoints new bishop in Tennessee after former bishop's resignation under pressure
Luckin surpasses Starbucks in China in annual sales
Unmanned strike aircraft shows its mettle
Xi Story: Environment First for the Yangtze River
China beats Indonesia to claim its 16th Uber Cup title
Online literature industry continues to grow
Marquette athletic director Bill Scholl plans to retire as he ends a decade
Apple reportedly cancels EV project, to focus more on AI