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Just a few hours before ATF\u2019s tyrannical new rule was scheduled to go into effect on Monday, May 20th\u2014Gun Owners of America and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won a temporary restraining order against ATF in federal court.[i]<\/a> Eventually, GOA secured a preliminary injunction preventing ATF from enforcing it\u2019s new \u201cDefinition of \u2018Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms\u201d or ATF 2022R-17 against Texans, Louisianans, Mississippians, and Utahns and nationwide for GOA members as well as members of the Tennessee Firearms Association and Virginia Citizens Defense League.[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n Now, GOA members are able to exercise their right to buy and sell firearms in private sales without infringement by this new rule. While the rule does not apply to everyone, enforcement of this rule would certainly be a nightmare for ATF, who now has to discern if an individual is protected by GOA\u2019s preliminary injunction before enforcing the new rule against someone.<\/p>\n What Did the Judge Say About ATF\u2019s Rule?<\/strong><\/p>\n Judge Kacsmaryk\u2019s decision means he believes GOA is likely to succeed on the merits of our case and that ATF\u2019s rule is likely illegal. The judge noted four specific faults with ATF\u2019s rule in his TRO:<\/p>\n This final flaw that Judge Kacsmaryk identified might just be the most outrageous of all. ATF created a new gun control out of thin air for Joe Biden, and it literally made gun owners GUILTY until proven innocent.<\/u><\/strong> The judge also went on to characterize ATF\u2019s legal briefings to have said \u201cin other words, \u2018just trust us.\u2019\u201d Thankfully, the judge did not leave gun owners at the mercy of Biden\u2019s tyrannical ATF. The question is, will Congress?<\/p>\n Congress Must Act<\/strong><\/p>\n Congress cannot let this limited injunction by a federal judge be the final say on this ATF rule. It shouldn\u2019t be up to Gun Owners of America and the court system to save the American People from this tyranny.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Congress got gun owners into this mess by passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and unnecessarily changing the definition of what it means to be a gun dealer. Now, Congress needs to use its oversight to block the rule and cut back funding from these rogue bureaucrats.<\/p>\n Thankfully, Congressman Andrew Clyde and Senator John Cornyn have introduced Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, H. J. Res. 144 and S. J. Res. 83 respectively, to block the ATF rule and prevent ATF from ever issuing a similar rule.<\/p>\n If your office has not yet cosponsored this bill, it is imperative that you do so as soon as possible. It has already been reported favorably from the House Judiciary Committee. Congress must take a vote on this new ATF rule and protect all Americans as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Gun owners shouldn\u2019t have more freedoms just because they pay membership dues to an organization that files lawsuits. Congress must halt this rule from affecting gun owners nationwide.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n [i]<\/a> Gun Owners of America and State of Texas v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in the Northern District Court of Texas (Hereafter GOA & Texas v. ATF). Case 2:24-cv-00089-Z. Document 44 Filed 05\/19\/24. https:\/\/www.gunowners.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Partial-TRO-Granted-GOA-GOF-TX-LA-UT-MS-v.-ATF.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n [ii]<\/a> GOA & Texas v. ATF. Case 2:24-cv-00089-Z. Document 70 Filed 06\/11\/24. https:\/\/foundation.gunowners.org\/files\/legal\/show_temp.pl__0.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n [iii]<\/a> GOA & Texas v. ATF. Case 2:24-cv-00089-Z. Document 44 Filed 05\/19\/24. https:\/\/www.gunowners.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Partial-TRO-Granted-GOA-GOF-TX-LA-UT-MS-v.-ATF.pdf<\/a>. Page 15.<\/p>\n [iv]<\/a> Ibid.<\/em> Page 16.<\/p>\n [v]<\/a> Ibid<\/em>. Page 17.<\/p>\n\n