Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09159
Sandra ClarkOpposeIndividual
Summary: The commenter opposes the proposed rule to define "willfully" for firearms violations, arguing that it would allow "shady dealers" to avoid accountability for breaking the law. They emphasize the importance of gun shop owners adhering to safety laws to prevent firearms from reaching criminals.
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.
We do NOT need more guns on our streets because someone decided that making money was better than saving lives. I just hope that NO ONE in your family EVER has to bury someone because a gun was sold to a criminal or someone with no knowledge of how to handle guns and they used it anyway!
Thank you,