Dems Criticize DoC on Firearms

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) and three House Democrats criticized the Commerce Department for what they say are inadequate steps to address assault weapons exports.

At the same time, the lawmakers praised the US Trade Representative’s Office for no longer classifying as trade barriers import license requirements for explosives, firearms and ammunition in its latest National Trade Estimate report.

Commerce paused some new license approvals at the end of October 2023 to conduct a review of its export policies, and recently published a rule that will implement the results of that review, the lawmakers noted in a letter to USTR Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

“While the rule makes changes to more closely align Commerce’s process with State’s – including shortening firearms export licenses from four years to one and creating an interagency firearms export review process that State will lead – it does not take several key commonsense steps to rein in exports – steps that several of us recommended in a letter to the Commerce Department earlier this year,” according to the letter from Sen. Warren and Democratic Reps. Joaquin Castro (Texas), Adriano Espaillat (NY) and Ilhan Omar (Minn).

“We continue to urge the Commerce Department to build on USTR’s action and take concrete steps to stem the tide of commercial gun exports from the United States,” they continued.

The lawmakers praised USTR for removing countries’ restrictions on imports of firearms, ammunition and explosives from its list of foreign trade barriers.

“This action not only reflects the Biden Administration’s efforts to address gun violence and put people’s lives over gun manufacturer profits; it is also another step forward in aligning US trade policy with our domestic policy agenda and the interests of American families, instead of giant corporations.”