Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09159
Anonymous AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: A concerned citizen opposes the proposed rule to define "willfully" for firearms violations, arguing that it would allow "shady dealers" to avoid accountability for breaking the law. The commenter suggests that the ATF should instead focus on tightening enforcement and employee training to ensure public safety.
I write to express my strong opposition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ “Defining Willfully for Firearm Violations” notice of proposed rulemaking (RIN 1140-AA88).
It is important that gun shop owners and their employees know about and adhere to the laws on how to safely sell firearms to only those who should have them, with the larger goal of keeping us all safe. No small business owner should have to jump through hoops to keep their business open; however, there is a reasonable responsibility when people are selling guns that they know the laws and know how to adhere to them.
This rule would allow shady dealers to break the law and claim it wasn’t willful, despite there being no effort to ensure the law is known and followed.
The ATF should be working to keep Americans safe, not turning the other cheek when bad dealers break the law and allow firearms to be accessed by those who would do us harm.
If anything the law should be tightened to enforce employee training.
Thank you, a concerned citizen and active voter