ATF stripped licenses from fewer gun shops in 2025 [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated May 12, 2026, 11:19 a.m. ET


The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stripped the licenses of dramatically fewer gun stores last year under the direction of President Donald Trump and a new posture for the agency.

Data released to USA TODAY under the Freedom of Information Act shows the ATF revoked 56 licenses in 2025, down from 183 the previous year, which was the highest in two decades.

Newly confirmed ATF Director Robert Cekada is on Capitol Hill on May 12 and May 14 to discuss the agency’s new direction. Recently, Cekada announced the rollout of 34 proposed rules for the agency that are widely viewed as more favorable to the firearms industry.

In February 2025, the ATF, under Trump Administration orders, announced the end of President Joe Biden’s “Zero Tolerance” policy aimed at cracking down on gun dealers who violate federal rules. In his confirmation process, Cekada said the end of the policy will “emphasize firearm traceability and public safety and deemphasize immaterial paperwork errors.”

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/12/atf-gun-store-license-revocations-plummet-under-trump/90031987007/