Trump Jr. could benefit from new ruling that helps GrabAGun
Last year, Donald Trump Jr. helped take over an online firearms retailer known as the “Amazon of Guns.” Now, GrabAGun, where the president’s son is a shareholder and board member, could benefit from a proposed rule change that would make it easier to ship guns directly to people’s homes.The proposal from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives would allow licensed dealers to ship firearms to in-state buyers who complete online identity verification and a background check, followed by a seven-day waiting period after notifying local law enforcement. Currently, online buyers must pick up firearms from physical stores and undergo in-person inspections unless they have a permit.If finalized, the rule could be one of the biggest shifts in US gun policy in two decades.
Industry officials, store owners and gun control advocates say this could lead to a surge in online gun sales.
Trump Jr.’s share and denial of involvement
Trump Jr. owns more than 300,000 GrabAGun shares worth more than $700,000, though that’s down from more than $5 million last year. He became the face of the company when it went public through a merger that brought in $119 million. The SPAC was backed by 1789 Capital, where Trump Jr. is a partner.A spokesman for Trump Jr. said the president’s son had no role in the ATF proposal.
“Don is a lifelong businessman and a strong advocate for our Second Amendment rights. He does not interact with the federal government as part of his role with any company he invests in or advises and had no involvement in this particular decision.”GrabAGun CEO Mark Nematti told Reuters that neither he nor Trump Jr. knew the proposal was coming. The company is still analyzing the potential impact on its $100 million revenue.
But “We believe GrabAGun is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this potential opportunity,” Nemati said in a May press release.
The ATF predicts that half of gun buyers could switch to home delivery
The ATF predicts that half of gun buyers, roughly 3.3 million people annually, will eventually use home delivery. Some industry leaders expect the actual number to be much higher due to the ease of online shopping.The proposed rule aims to bring the arms industry in line with the rest of the modern economy, said Robert Leider, ATF senior counsel.
The agency estimates the change will save consumers $103.7 million annually in travel and processing time.Leider said he was not aware of Trump Jr.’s relationship with GrabAGun until asked by Reuters, and that the president’s son had no influence on the proposal. He declined to say whether the White House was involved. The White House said it had no record of “interacting with the president’s son on any of these topics.”The rule is one of 34 regulatory measures proposed by the ATF this spring following a February 2025 presidential executive order to expand gun access.
Gun shops and gunners warn of safety risks
The industry has never asked for a policy like this, said Mariana Mitchem, senior firearms industry adviser for Everytown for Gun Safety. Physical gun stores have historically played a major role in screening buyers, she said.“ATF always says a gun shop is the first line of defense in gun safety.
“But now they’re turning it around,” Mitchem said.Gun control groups say shipping millions of firearms to buyers’ homes can enable trafficking, mail theft and illicit purchases, where a legal buyer buys a gun for someone who cannot legally own it.“Even with the strongest virtual sales processes and background checks, there is no way for a gun store selling a gun online to know if the person making the purchase is transferring firearms to others,” said Anissa McMillan, a spokeswoman for Giffords.Crystal Santos, who manages operations at the Bow & Barrel Sportsmen’s Center in Missouri, submitted public comment opposing the rule. Her employees are trained to spot straw purchases by reading customer behavior, an intuitive process she said online checking can’t replace.“It opens up a whole can of worms. Places like GrabAGun and others are the problem, they make it more difficult for shops like us,” Santos said.The proposed rule is now in a public comment period that will end in early August and may not be finalized until late 2026 or early 2027.
