Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09159
James LampertOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter opposes the proposed definition of "willfully" because they believe it would allow unscrupulous firearms dealers to avoid accountability for breaking the law. They argue that a failure to ensure laws are known and followed should be considered an act of willful disregard.
In our Armed Forces, and indeed very likely the armed forces of every civilized nation-state, weapons are only issued to those who have been trained to use them safely, carry them safely, store them safely, and maintain them safely and properly. This also goes for every police force in America, and indeed, in any other civilized nation-state in the world. And yet not only are American civilians allowed to purchase firearms they haven't been trained to use, carry, store, and maintain; they are permitted to sell them as well.
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 unscrupulous dealers to break the law and claim it wasn’t willful, despite there being no effort to ensure the law is known and followed. I argue that failure to make such an effort is in itself an act of willful disregard for the law.