When Governor Kathy Hochul announced on July 30, 2026, that New York was going to proactively respond to the proposed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rollbacks of longstanding gun regulations, she did so while surrounded by the people these weakened policies will affect the most: survivors and community members. They know that these rule changes will lead to more gun trafficking, more gun violence in their communities, and even more lives needlessly lost. It was a stark contrast to when newly appointed ATF Director Robert Cekada announced these proposed rollbacks surrounded by members of the gun industry who stand to benefit from the deregulatory measures.
The Trump administration has openly acknowledged not only that these rule changes are meant to benefit the gun industry, but also that the resulting harm to public safety could be catastrophic. As Governor Hochul highlighted in her speech, the ATF stated in one proposed rule change that the impact would result in a “public safety cost” that may include “potential mass casualty events.”
Governor Hochul saw the coming ATF changes and immediately examined how New York could utilize its existing strong gun violence prevention laws and future legislation to help minimize or neutralize the potential damage, setting an example for other states to follow. She focused on three specific areas that New York will soon address: stronger enforcement of state dealer licensing laws, convening a multistate coalition to combat gun trafficking, and introducing legislation to ban online-only sales of firearms.
Enforcing State Dealer Licensing Laws
The ATF has admitted that the proposed rule changes are intended to reduce its own oversight of federally licensed firearms dealers, at a time when the agency is operating with fewer inspectors. New York is particularly well situated to address this dire situation, however, because of its existing robust state dealer licensing system. Governor Hochul announced that the New York State Police will increase inspections of licensed firearms dealers, specifically those who have sold firearms later recovered as part of criminal investigations.
New York holds firearm dealers to significantly higher standards than the federal government does, and to enforce those standards, the New York State Police are required to inspect all licensed dealers at least once every three years. So, while the anticipated ATF changes will alter the transaction records gun buyers must fill out, allow the destruction of sales and inventory records used for criminal investigations, and eliminate the responsibility of dealers to provide safety warnings to customers, New York law has its own comprehensive purchase application, does not allow for sales record destruction, and has numerous requirements for posting and distributing detailed educational and informational materials. The state can therefore ensure that its existing rules continue to be followed, regardless of what the federal government rolls back.
Interstate Cooperation
Governor Hochul also announced that she will reconvene the Interstate Task Force on Illegal Guns, first formed in 2022, to address the reality that these dangerous ATF rollbacks will make it easier for gun traffickers to operate across multiple states. Combining efforts and resources with partners in neighboring states and local jurisdictions will be especially crucial as the ATF and the rest of the federal government abdicate their responsibility to address crime across state lines.
During her press conference, Governor Hochul pointed out that the vast majority of crime guns recovered in New York originate from out-of-state, and called the current direction of the ATF “disgraceful,” adding, “We used to be able to count on the ATF to lead law enforcement against interstate gun traffickers” but “Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is cutting them off at the knees.” States will have to rely on their own laws and law enforcement, but communication and cooperation with each other — as well as with local jurisdictions — will serve to mitigate some of the harm.
Prohibiting Online Sales
Perhaps the most concerning change in ATF rules will allow gun sales to be conducted without a buyer ever appearing in person for a background check or to take possession of the firearm. Federal law has long required that all firearm transactions requiring a NICS background check be conducted in person so that a dealer can not only properly identify the purchaser but also observe any suspicious behavior that may indicate criminal intent. However, the proposed ATF changes would essentially permit all gun sales to be completed fully remotely — including the shipping and delivering of firearms through the mail — which will in turn enable a sharp increase in dangerous straw purchases and easier access to firearms by prohibited purchasers.
Unsurprisingly, this move by the ATF to make buying a firearm, as Governor Hochul said, “as easy as ordering up some pizza on DoorDash,” would not only be a windfall to the gun industry as a whole, but it would be particularly lucrative to the President’s own son, Donald Trump Jr., who is part owner and serves on the board of online gun retailer GrabAGun. The company, which calls itself the “Amazon of guns,” has been vocal in its support of the ATF changes, claiming it is “uniquely positioned” to take advantage of online gun sales.
Governor Hochul called this plan a “staggering defiance of common sense” and vowed to support a bill in the upcoming legislative session that will require that all firearm sales in New York be done in person, without exceptions. Such legislation will be crucial for states going forward to counteract the ATF’s plan to change decades of settled law.
As the Trump administration continues to undermine laws that protect public safety and expose our communities to the devastating consequences, all in order to enrich the firearms industry, states have the ability and obligation to act, whether through existing laws, new legislation, or executive action.