Trump Bypasses Congress to Open Up World Markets to U.S. Gun Makers

President Trump is ready to shift rules to allow American gun makers more leeway in selling arms and ammunition to foreign buyers. This would mean expanded markets for AR-15s and American made 5.56 and .223 ammunition. According to Reuters, aides to President Trump are finalizing “a plan to shift oversight of international non-military firearms sales from the State Department to the Commerce Department.” And the shift in rules governing sales to foreign buyers can be accomplished without Congressional approval. Moving oversight from the State Dept. to Commerce places things in the hands of a department more interested in upping trade numbers than restricting firearm sales. This provides broadened opportunities for manufacturers like Bushmaster, Daniel Defense, Battle-Tested Equipment, Smith & Wesson (American Outdoor), Sturm, Ruger, and Co., and other American companies. An administration official speaking on condition of anonymity said, “There will be more leeway to do arms sales. You could really turn the spigot on if you do it the right way.” News of the administration’s shift in arms sale policy lifted Sturm Ruger and American Outdoor stock value upwards of 18 percent. The surge is because a shifting oversight of arms sales from the State Department to the Commerce Department “could increase sales by 15-20 percent annually.”...more