The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly weighing proposals to restrict transgender people from purchasing firearms, according to CNN and the New York Post, both citing unnamed sources.
CNN described the discussions as “preliminary” and linked them to last week’s Minnesota church shooting, in which two children were killed and 17 others injured. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem identified the suspect as transgender.
When asked about the reports, a Justice Department spokesperson said: *“The DOJ is actively evaluating options to prevent the pattern of violence we have seen from individuals with specific mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders. No specific criminal justice proposals have been advanced at this time.”*
If pursued, the proposal would highlight a clash within President Donald Trump’s administration — balancing the Republican Party’s long-standing defence of gun rights with new measures that could further restrict the rights of transgender Americans.
Trump has previously signed executive orders banning transgender people from serving in the military and requiring government-issued identification documents to reflect a person’s “immutable biological classification as either male or female.”
Gun Owners of America responded to CNN’s report with a post on social media, stating: *“GOA opposes any & all gun bans. Full stop.”*
