Rep. Mann Fortifies Gun Rights, Continues Fight to Rein in ATF

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) reintroduced the Reining In Federal Licensing Enforcement (RIFLE) Act to fortify the Second Amendment rights of Kansans and to protect small gun store owners and Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) from being forced out of business by the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) weaponized zero tolerance policy. 

Under the Biden Administration, ATF’s zero tolerance policy forced small and mid-sized gun stores out of business. The agency revoked Federal Firearm Licenses due to minor clerical errors like missing a customer's middle initial or using a state’s abbreviation rather than the state’s full name. In 2024 alone, ATF saw the highest levels of gun store license revocations in 20 years—the third consecutive year of increased license revocations under President Biden’s leadership. Last week, the Biden Administration claimed it reversed its zero tolerance policy. Upon further review of the updated enforcement guidance, it appears to remain fully in effect.

“President Biden did everything in his power to weaponize the federal government against gun store owners in the Big First District of Kansas and across the country,” said Rep. Mann. “His zero tolerance policy undermined the Second Amendment and trampled on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. Since day one, I have rigorously pushed back against this unconstitutional policy and fought for more oversight to rein in ATF’s abuse. 

“On November 5, 2024, the country made it clear—our constitutional rights are not up for grabs. My bill makes that crystal clear by fortifying the Second Amendment rights of local gun stores and seeking to restore a degree of wholeness to individuals whose livelihoods were destroyed by this federal abuse. I look forward to working with President Trump to further strengthen the protection of the Second Amendment, deliver justice for our FFLs, and get our country back on track.” 

"ATF's 'zero tolerance' policy is still in full effect, and there are agents in the field right now shutting down gun stores to obtain out-of-business records for the illegal gun registry." said Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America. "GOAhas been at the forefront of the fight to unmask the ATF's 'zero tolerance' policy with two lawsuits. We urge Congress and the White House to enact Rep. Mann's bill to rein in this rogue federal agency's attacks on the Second Amendment."

Reps. Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Troy Downing (MT-02), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Thomas Tiffany (WI-07), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ron Estes (KS-04), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Adrian Smith (NE-03), John Rose (TN-06), Mike Collins (GA-10), Addison McDowell (NC-06), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Keith Self (TX-03), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Barry Moore (AL-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), and Jake Ellzey (TX-06) joined Rep. Mann in introducing the legislation. 

The RIFLE Act of 2025:

• Ensures that ATF works with FFLs, giving FFLs a chance to comply before ATF moves to revoke a license.
• Clearly defines and strengthens what constitutes a willful violation, imposing a presumption that there is no willful violation absent clear and convincing evidence.
• Allows FFLs to review and appeal ATF determinations before an administrative law judge and reimburses FFLs for legal fees incurred while the zero tolerance policy is in effect. 
• Automatically reinstates and approves licenses suspended, revoked, or denied while ATF’s zero tolerance policy is in effect. 
• Establishes gunrightsrestored.gov to administer reimbursement claims. 

The National Rifle Association also supports this legislation. 

Rep. Mann is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. In January 2024, Rep. Mann introduced the RIFLE Act of 2024. Rep. Mann also penned a letter to former ATF Director Steven Dettelbach pushing back against the zero tolerance policy. In June 2023, Rep. Mann voted to block ATF’s rule to reclassify pistols with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifles and shotguns. Rep. Mann has opposed the Biden-Harris Administration’s overreaching executive orders that made it harder for law-abiding citizens to own firearms and legislation to establish an unconstitutional assault weapons ban. 

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