Easy access to guns, the lack of proper registration and tracing, and the deregulation of the firearms industry contributes not only to countless deaths in the United States, but also to the cartel and gang violence that is fueling migration, displacement, and suffering in the places we work like Haiti and throughout Latin America.   

The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) is proposing 34 rule changes that will make the selling and trafficking of weapons much easier and the gun industry far more deregulated. We have prepared comments for 3 critical rules and will focus on one rule each week in July.  

Stand Against Online Gun Sales: 

ATF Proposed Rule Change- Revising Non-Over-the-Counter Firearms Transaction Requirements Rule

 The Non-Over-the-Counter (NOTC) rule claims to modernize the Gun Control Act (GCA) and Brady Act by allowing Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to conduct background checks and ID verification remotely for same-state residents, replacing the mandatory in-person requirement with remote electronic identity-proofing.  However, this rule will make it easier for sophisticated criminal groups, who are experts at identity fraud, to purchase weapons.

• Remote ID Verification: The proposal eliminates previous restrictions that limited NOTC transactions strictly to those exempt from background checks. 
• National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS): would now perform remote NICS background checks for same-state buyers provided they can securely and sufficiently verify the purchaser's identity remotely.   
•  CLEO Notice: The rule adds requirements for sending remote, electronic notices to the local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in the buyer's jurisdiction.  

Advocate with us by publicly commenting, sharing broadly with your networks, and signing our petition.   

The open comment period for this proposed rule expires on August 4th, 2026. You may utilize one of the comment templates we prepared (below), edit it or create your own.  Just make sure you include the rule number - RIN 1140-AB05 - in your comment. 

HOW TO ACT:

1. Select and copy a comment (below or in the PDF) that resonates with you
2. Click HERE to make a comment.
3. Fill in the information & paste the comment (or write your own!)
4. Forward to others to do the same.
5. Use this PDF, for easy access to the rule change and all 3 comments.

Prepared Comments:

Suggested Comment 1:

I am writing to OPPOSE the NOTC rule (RIN 1140-AB05) proposed by the ATF. 

This proposed rule risks creating new vulnerabilities that criminal networks can exploit. While remote identity verification may increase convenience for lawful purchasers, it also reduces the protections provided by face-to-face identity checks. Today's organized criminal organizations are highly sophisticated, using stolen identities, synthetic identities, and advanced digital fraud to evade detection.  

The United States is already a major source of firearms recovered in criminal investigations throughout the Americas. Any policy that weakens safeguards at the point of sale could make it easier for traffickers and straw purchasers to obtain firearms that fuel violence both 
domestically and abroad. 

Public safety must come before convenience. Firearm transfers should continue to require in-person identity verification to ensure purchasers are who they claim to be and to preserve the integrity of the background check system.

The ATF should reject this proposed rule and maintain strong safeguards that help prevent illegal firearms trafficking and protect communities in the United States and across the hemisphere.  

Suggested Comment 2

I am writing to OPPOSE the Revising Non-Over-the-Counter Firearms Transaction Requirements Rule (RIN 1140-AB05) proposed by the ATF. I am concerned that the proposed rule could unintentionally weaken safeguards that help keep firearms out of the wrong hands.  

• Remote identity proofing may increase opportunities for identity theft, synthetic identities, and other forms of digital fraud.
• Criminal organizations continually adapt to new technologies, making reduced in person verification a potential security risk.  
• In-person identity verification remains an important safeguard for ensuring background checks are accurate and purchasers are properly identified. 

Public safety should take priority over convenience by maintaining strong, transparent protections that help prevent illegal firearms trafficking and protect communities.  Thank you for considering my comment. 

Suggested Comment 3:

I am writing to OPPOSE the Revising Non-Over-the-Counter Firearms Transaction Requirements Rule (RIN 1140-AB05) proposed by the ATF.

This proposed rule opens the floodgates for online gun purchases, which is a massive red flag if you care about public safety. With this proposed rule change, ATF leadership is clearly enabling the gun industry to generate massive increases in profits. I was alarmed after reading a Washington Post article exposing the president’s son, Trump Jr’s stake in a company he refers to as the “Amazon for guns”. The ATF mandate is to keep our communities safe, not to help powerful people become richer. The WaPo article claims that “In face-to-face interactions gun sellers can pick up on any red flags suggesting that it would be unsafe for the potential buyer to possess a firearm”. The NOTC rule will make our country more dangerous while enriching billionaires. This is unacceptable. Thank you for your consideration.