Anti-2A groups just bullied ATF into
keeping difficult process for gun transfers

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) withdrew a proposal Wednesday that would have eased transfers between Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), citing "significant adverse comments."

ATF formally proposed a rule for "Licensee 'eZ Check' Verification for Transfers on May 6 after announcing plans to revise or shelve nearly three dozen regulations as part of a review ordered by President Donald Trump in February 2025. The agency sought to permit the use of "eZ Check" system, which allowed a dealer to verify the validity of another dealer when transferring firearms, citing the advanced technology many FFLs use, but anti-Second Amendment groups complained about the plans to revise the cumbersome process currently in effect.

"ATF stated that if significant adverse comments were received by June 5 the rule would not take effect, and ATF would publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register," ATF said as it announced its withdrawal of the proposed rule in a Wednesday post on X. "ATF has subsequently received significant adverse comments on this direct final rule and is therefore withdrawing the rule."

In the direct final rule entitled, "Licensee "eZ Check" Verification for Transfers" ATF stated that if significant adverse comments were received by June 5 the rule would not take effect, and ATF would publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register. ATF has subsequently… pic.twitter.com/a7dTKYbdyr

— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) July 8, 2026

The anti-Second Amendment group Everytown for Gun Safety, backed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, submitted a letter alongside Brady United and Giffords seeking to maintain the old rule while also claiming it would increase "fraudulent" transfers …