Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), alongside U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and 19 other colleagues, has urged Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to withdraw a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) interim final rule that restricts the issuance and limits the lifespan of export licenses for firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories to overseas markets. The senators also requested BIS leaders to testify before the Senate Banking Committee on the rule.

"We are concerned that the Department issued the Rule in an attempt to intentionally harm the firearms industry," stated the senators in their letter. "As you know, many of these businesses rely on the export of firearms, related components, ammunition, and related assistance activities for such products to meet their bottom lines."

The letter was signed by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Rick Scott (R-FL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Thune (R-SD), J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Todd Young (R-IN).

The letter expressed concerns over the economic impact of the rule, arguing that it would severely restrict firearm manufacturers' ability to receive export licenses. The senators questioned BIS's cost-benefit analysis and highlighted potential adverse effects on American businesses.

"Despite BIS claiming to have conducted a cost-benefit analysis, the published Rule fails to provide any data concerning the impact it will have on the American economy," noted the senators.

They also argued that BIS’s national security claims were questionable. According to them, revoking existing licenses for 36 countries could encourage foreign actors like China to fill gaps in firearm-related exports, potentially bolstering illicit arms dealers.

"Even if these economic concerns were properly addressed, BIS’s claims that the Rule advances U.S. national security interests are dubious and open to debate," they wrote.

BACKGROUND:

The BIS interim final rule aims to make permanent export freezes initially sought by the Biden administration during a “90-day pause” announced on October 27, 2023. This pause lasted over 180 days. According to industry analysts, this could cost approximately $121 million per year if finalized.

According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, less than one percent of legally exported firearms are recovered abroad at crime scenes and traced back.

Senator Tuberville continues his advocacy against what he considers harmful regulations impacting gun rights and related industries.