Trump Jr. Launches Mail-Order Gun Venture as ATF Poised to Allow Direct Shipments
PEW•Donald Trump Jr. has launched a new mail-order firearms venture targeting nationwide direct-to-consumer sales, leveraging online platforms. An ATF proposal would reinterpret 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) to let licensed manufacturers ship guns directly to buyers without a local dealer, with public comments open through August.
1. Venture Launch Details
Donald Trump Jr. has unveiled a new firearms venture structured to sell handguns and rifles directly to consumers via mail. Registered this month, the company plans to integrate online ordering with third-party shipping services, bypassing traditional local dealer transfer requirements pending regulatory approval.
2. Proposed Rule Change
The ATF has put forward a proposed rule to reinterpret 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) to allow licensed manufacturers and importers to ship firearms straight to buyers, with background checks hitting at point of online purchase. The public comment period is open through August, after which the rule could be finalized.
3. Industry Implications
Gun rights groups back the rule as a way to expand market access and reduce retailer overhead, while safety advocates warn it could create enforcement gaps. If enacted, the change would reshape competition among manufacturers and prompt other entrants to adopt mail-order strategies.
