WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Back in February, Donald Trump signed an executive order shoring up second amendment protections in the US.
The order put a pause on any Biden-era gun reforms, and removed the United States from the UN Arms Trade Treaty.
He also ordered the Justice Department to narrow the definition of “fugitive from justice,” widening the scope of who can buy a gun.
“so executive orders are not laws,” explains Molly Reynolds from the Brookings Institution, ”They are directions to agencies.”
It signals friendlier terrain for the second amendment, and the gun industry.
Jay Carson with the Buckeye Institute explains:
“I mean, let’s put it this way with a Trump presidency, you’re unlikely to see the enactment of new statutes for Congress that would infringe on gun rights,” said Carson.
But the courts are a different arena.
This week the Supreme Court is hearing a case in which the Mexican Government is suing an American gun manufacturer for cartel violence.
“They want to be able to have essentially like a class action lawsuit against American gun manufacturers,” said Carson.
He argues t’s a broad case to make.
“Problem is it punishes an entire industry for the actions of individuals.”
Oral arguments will be heard Tuesday, with a decision from the conservative-leaning bench expected by June.
Copyright 2025 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
