A U.S. district judge has put on hold a lawsuit filed by Florida challenging a Biden-era rule requiring more gun sellers to obtain licenses and conduct background checks. U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell issued a 90-day stay in the case last week at the federal government’s request.
The government’s motion cited President Donald Trump’s executive order dated February 7, 2025, which directs a review of actions taken from January 2021 through January 2025 to “assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights of our citizens.”
The review includes the disputed rule finalized by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in April 2024, which updated the definition of a firearms dealer “engaged in the business.”
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Under the revised rule, individuals are required to be licensed as firearms dealers if they “devote time, attention, and labor to dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business to predominantly earn a profit through the repetitive purchase and resale of firearms.” The rule exempts persons who make occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases for personal collection enhancement or hobby purposes.
Florida’s lawsuit argues that the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act by overstepping statutory bounds.
However, in its request for a stay, the federal government stated that halting the lawsuit will help “conserve party and judicial resources and promote the efficient and orderly disposition of this case,” ensuring that litigation remains focused on enduring agency action under current leadership.
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The 90-day stay now pauses Florida’s challenge while the administration reviews gun regulations under the new executive order.
Further developments are expected as the review process continues and the Trump administration outlines its next steps regarding federal gun regulations.
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