A major change may be coming to the way Americans buy guns online. A proposed rule from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would allow licensed dealers to ship firearms directly to in-state residents after online identity verification, a background check, and a seven-day waiting period following notice to local law enforcement. Under current practice, online firearm buyers generally must pick up guns at physical stores and complete in-person background checks unless they have a permit.
If finalized, the proposal could represent one of the most significant shifts in U.S. gun policy in decades. Reuters reported that industry officials, store owners, and gun-control advocates viewed the rule as potentially driving major growth in online gun sales. It could also create a substantial business opportunity for GrabAGun, an online-first firearms retailer that has been described as the “Amazon of Guns.” Donald Trump Jr. helped take GrabAGun public, and he is both a shareholder and board member of the company.
What the Proposed Rule Would Change
Today, online firearms sales still depend heavily on brick-and-mortar stores. A customer may browse and purchase online, but the firearm is typically shipped to a licensed local dealer, where the buyer completes the pickup process. The proposed ATF rule would change that model by allowing direct shipment to eligible in-state buyers who complete the required digital checks and waiting period. The rule would allow licensed dealers to ship firearms directly to in-state residents after online identity verification, a background check, and a seven-day waiting period.
The ATF has framed the proposal as a modernization measure. ATF chief counsel Robert Leider said the rule was intended to align the gun industry with the rest of the modern economy and estimated it would save consumers $103.7 million annually in travel and processing time. In practical terms, the rule could make buying a firearm look more like buying other regulated products online: fewer trips, fewer in-person steps, and more emphasis on digital verification.
Why GrabAGun Could Benefit
GrabAGun is positioned squarely in the market that could benefit from this shift. Reuters described GrabAGun as one of the nation’s leading online-first gun retailers. If consumers can complete more of the buying process online and receive firearms directly at home, online-focused sellers may gain an advantage over traditional stores that rely on in-person transfers.
That matters because Donald Trump Jr. has a financial stake in the company. Reuters reported that Trump Jr.’s more than 300,000 shares in GrabAGun were worth more than $700,000, down from more than $5 million the previous year. The company went public through a special purpose acquisition company merger connected to 1789 Capital, where Trump Jr. is a partner.
The company itself appears to recognize the potential upside. GrabAGun CEO Marc Nemati said in a May news release, “We believe GrabAGun is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this potential opportunity.” At the same time, Nemati told Reuters that neither he nor Trump Jr. knew the proposal was coming and that the company was still analyzing its potential impact on GrabAGun’s $100 million in revenue.
The Conflict-of-Interest Concern
The central concern is not simply that an online gun retailer may benefit from deregulation. The concern is that the President’s son is financially tied to a company that may profit from a rule proposed by an agency within his father’s administration.
Trump Jr.’s spokesperson has denied any involvement. Andrew Surabian, speaking for Trump Jr., said the president’s son had no role in the ATF proposal. Surabian also stated that Trump Jr. “does not interface with the Federal Government as part of his role with any company that he invests in or advises and had zero involvement in this particular decision.” The ATF’s chief counsel also said he was unaware of Trump Jr.’s connection to GrabAGun until Reuters asked about it and said Trump Jr. had no influence on the proposed rule. Leider declined to say whether the White House had any role in the proposal. The White House said it had no record or knowledge of any interaction with Trump Jr. on these topics.
Those denials are important. But the optics remain significant. A deregulatory rule that could expand a market in which the President’s son holds shares raises obvious questions about public trust, even if no direct involvement is shown.
Safety and Small-Business Concerns
The proposal has also drawn criticism from gun-control advocates and small gun shops. Some gun shop owners, industry officials, and gun-control advocates argue that direct firearm shipping poses public safety and security risks and threatens small brick-and-mortar gun shops.
Gun-control groups have warned that home delivery could make it harder to detect illegal trafficking, theft, and straw purchases. Everytown, Brady, and Giffords argue that shipping millions of firearms to buyers’ homes is vulnerable to illegal trafficking, mail theft, and straw purchases. Giffords spokesperson Aneesa McMillan said that even with robust virtual sales and background checks, an online seller cannot know whether the buyer is funneling firearms to others.
Small gun shops have a different but related concern: the proposal could strip away a revenue stream. Many smaller rural dealers rely on transfer fees of about $30 per weapon for online purchases that require in-store delivery, and those transactions also drive foot traffic for ammunition and accessories. If consumers can bypass those stores entirely, local dealers could lose both transfer income and related sales.
What Happens Next
The rule is not final. Reuters reported that the proposal was in a public comment period closing in early August and may not be finalized until late 2026 or early 2027, if it is finalized at all. It could still be revised, delayed, or withdrawn. But if adopted in its current form, the change could accelerate the shift toward online firearm sales and place companies like GrabAGun in a stronger competitive position.
For consumers, the proposal promises convenience. For online retailers, it may unlock growth. For small gun shops, it threatens an important part of their business model. For public safety advocates, it raises serious enforcement concerns. And for Donald Trump Jr., it presents a politically sensitive financial question: whether a company in which he holds a stake could benefit from a major regulatory change proposed under his father’s administration.
How To Post a Comment
- Go to regulations.gov.
- Search for RIN 1140-AB05 or Docket ID ATF-2026-0266.
- Open the document page for “Revising Non-Over-the-Counter Firearms Transaction Requirements.”
- Click the blue “Comment” button.
- Type your comment into the comment box or upload it as an attachment, then submit it. Keep the tracking number you receive after submission.
- Do not include personal information in the body of your comment or attachments unless you want it posted publicly. ATF states it may post comments without change, including personally identifying information or business proprietary information submitted in the body of the comment or as part of an attachment.
Comments are due August 6, 2026.
Mail Option
Mail is also accepted. Send written comments to:
ATF Rulemaking Comments
Mail Stop 6N-518
Office of Regulatory Affairs
Enforcement Programs and Services
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
99 New York Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20226
ATTN: ATF 1140-AB05
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DISCLAIMER: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. Firearm regulations, administrative rulemaking, ethics obligations, and compliance requirements can be complex and subject to change. Nothing in this article creates an attorney-client relationship, and you should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional legal counsel.