A proposed change to US firearms regulations could reshape the retail market in the United States, allowing—under specific conditions—the direct shipment of weapons to buyers' residences. If approved, the regulation is expected to become the most significant shift in US gun policy in two decades, significantly boosting online sales, according to industry executives, shop owners, and gun control organizations who spoke to Reuters. Among the potential beneficiaries is GrabAGun, the online platform that has been dubbed the "Amazon of guns," in which Donald Trump Jr. is a shareholder and board member.
What the new regulation provides
The proposal by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provides that licensed dealers will be able to ship firearms directly to residents of the same state, provided that electronic identity verification, a criminal background check, and a seven-day waiting period take place after local authorities are notified. Currently, those who purchase weapons online are required to pick them up from a physical store, where the background check is conducted in person, unless they hold a relevant special license.
The potential benefit for Donald Trump Jr.
The shift could yield substantial benefits for GrabAGun and, by extension, for Donald Trump Jr., who holds more than 300,000 shares in the company. The value of his stake currently exceeds 700,000 dollars, compared to over 5 million dollars a year ago. A spokesperson for him told Reuters that the son of the US president had no involvement in shaping the proposal, noting that, although he is a businessman and a supporter of the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, he does not participate in federal government decisions concerning companies in which he invests or provides consulting services.
GrabAGun sees significant prospects
GrabAGun CEO Marc Nemati stated that neither he nor Donald Trump Jr. had prior knowledge of the ATF proposal. The company, with an annual turnover of approximately 100 million dollars, is still assessing the impact of the potential change. However, as early as May, it had expressed the estimate that it is in a particularly advantageous position to capitalize on the new opportunities that may be created.
The ATF predicts a boom in online gun purchases
The ATF estimates that, in the long run, nearly half of all gun buyers in the US—approximately 3.3 million citizens annually—will opt for home delivery. Market executives believe this number could prove even higher, as consumers increasingly turn to e-commerce. The ATF's chief legal counsel, Robert Leider, stated that the goal of the proposal is to modernize the weapons market and adapt it to contemporary commercial practices. According to the agency's estimates, consumers will collectively save approximately 103.7 million dollars annually in travel and processing time. He maintained that he was unaware of Donald Trump Jr.'s relationship with GrabAGun until questioned by Reuters, assuring that there was no influence on the formulation of the proposal. Similarly, the White House stated it has no knowledge or record of communication with the president's son regarding this specific matter.
Reactions over safety and public order
The proposed change has triggered strong reactions from both gun control organizations and smaller retail stores. Marianna Mitchem, a former ATF official and current advisor to the organization Everytown for Gun Safety, stated that in her more than 20 years at the agency, the industry had never requested such a change. As she argued, brick-and-mortar stores constitute the first line of defense for the safe distribution of weapons, as they can detect suspicious cases that are not easily identified through an online process. Similar concerns are expressed by the organizations Everytown, Brady, and Giffords, warning that shipping millions of weapons directly to homes could increase the risk of illegal trafficking, transit thefts, and straw purchases made through third parties.
A blow to small stores
GrabAGun was founded in 2010 and ranks among the largest online weapons retailers in the United States. The company went public in 2025 through a SPAC merger, raising 119 million dollars. This specific SPAC had been created by 1789 Capital, in which Donald Trump Jr. is a partner. Despite the successful listing, GrabAGun's stock has plunged approximately 85% over the past year. Small store owners warn that the new regulation will significantly hurt their revenue. Currently, many shops collect about 30 dollars for processing the mandatory background checks on online purchases, while customer visits often lead to additional sales of ammunition and accessories. Chrystal Santos, operations manager of the Bow & Barrel Sportsmen Center in Missouri, maintained that employees in physical stores can identify suspicious purchases through customer behavior, something that an electronic identification process cannot replicate.
The final decision
The proposal is already under public consultation, which concludes in early August. The final decision is expected toward the end of 2026 or early 2027, while it remains possible that the plan could be modified or even withdrawn before being implemented. Despite the backlash, the ATF maintains that the proposed electronic identification system will be safer than the current process applied in physical stores and estimates that it can maintain a high level of oversight while simultaneously adapting the weapons market to the demands of the digital age.
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