Comment on FR Doc # 2026-09157
Carolina Caliber CompanyOpposeBusiness
Summary: A firearms dealer in North Carolina opposes the proposed rule, arguing that video calls cannot replace in-person judgment and that the rule will harm small shops while favoring large online retailers. The commenter requests the removal of provisions for direct shipping of standard firearms to maintain the role of local dealers.
Only 10 to 15 percent of dealers are expected to adopt this new rule, according to ATF's own math. As a dealer in North Carolina, I see firsthand that a video call cannot replace the judgment of an in-person visit. With the proliferation of AI tools the system as presented would be ripe for exploitation by bad actors. This rule will kill small shops by shifting sales to big online stores. Plus, the seven-day wait makes the whole process slower than just walking into a local store. With a $7 fee passed to buyers and no real plan for these new digital services, the cost outweighs the gain. Please remove the provisions for direct shipping of standard firearms from this final rule and keep local dealers part of the process.