President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Commerce Department said on Monday he will review the Biden administration's year-old restrictions on firearms exports that were aimed at limiting foreign criminal groups acquiring U.S. guns.
Nominee Howard Lutnick said in written comments that if confirmed he would "ensure the department reviews this policy and takes appropriate action."
After a temporary export pause on firearms exports in 2023, the Biden administration in April 2024 imposed restrictions on sales to non-governmental users in 36 countries where the State Department determined the firearms were at high risk of diversion.
At the time, the Commerce Department forecast the restrictions would reduce average annual U.S. firearms exports by 7% or $40 million.
Lutnick was responding to a question from Senator Eric Schmitt who said the policy "cost U.S. manufacturers and exporters hundreds of millions of dollars annually."
An industry association estimated in 2023 that the sales loss would be $238 million a year.
Then-Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the rules would limit diversions of guns to drug cartels, criminal groups, gangs and others. "The days of exporting military-style weapons to civilians in unstable countries are over," Raimondo said.
The Senate Commerce Committee will vote on Lutnick's nomination on Wednesday.
