The ATF has quietly proposed a rule that could dramatically change how law-abiding Americans buy firearms from licensed dealers. And despite what you’ve probably seen flying around social media, it doesn’t eliminate background checks or create some Wild West free-for-all.
According to Armed Attorneys, the proposal would simply allow certain identity verification steps that currently happen in person to be completed remotely through secure video technology.
If adopted, the rule could let a customer purchase a firearm from an in-state FFL, complete ATF Form 4473 online, verify their identity over a live video call, pass the same NICS background check, and then have the firearm shipped directly to their home.
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That’s a pretty significant shift from today’s process.
The proposal, known as ATF Rule 1140-AB05, was published on May 8, 2026, and is currently open for public comment through Aug. 8.
Armed Attorneys Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes say much of the online outrage surrounding the proposal has been overblown.
“It’s a nothing burger,” Hayes joked while explaining that the rule has actually been public for months and had drawn only a few hundred public comments before suddenly becoming a hot topic over the holiday weekend.
The attorneys point out that the proposal does not eliminate background checks. Buyers would still have to pass the federal NICS system before receiving a firearm.
Potential Benefits
Taylor and Hayes say there are several legitimate upsides. For one, it could make firearm purchases much easier for people living hours away from the nearest gun store.
They also note that some states have effectively restricted access to FFLs through zoning laws. Instead of driving several hours just to complete paperwork, buyers could complete the transfer remotely with any licensed dealer located in their own state.
The proposal could also benefit:
- Rural gun owners
- Disabled Americans with limited mobility
- Customers who simply don’t live near an FFL
For those buyers, removing the requirement to physically appear at the gun counter could eliminate a major hurdle without changing the underlying federal background check process.
But There Are Concerns
Interestingly, some of the biggest concerns discussed by Armed Attorneys didn’t come from gun-control groups.
Taylor questioned whether removing face-to-face interaction also removes one of the firearms community’s own informal safeguards.
Many experienced gun-store employees have refused sales over the years after getting a bad feeling about a customer.
Someone acting erratically, making disturbing comments or displaying obvious warning signs might never trigger a NICS denial, but an experienced dealer can still choose not to complete a sale.
“If the guy comes in sweating and muttering and pacing around… I’d say, ‘Have a nice day,’” Hayes said while discussing private sales.
Taylor also raised practical concerns about firearms being shipped directly to homes, including theft during delivery or so-called “porch pirates.
Politics Enter the Conversation
The proposal has also generated political headlines after reports that Donald Trump Jr. owns roughly a 1% stake in the online retailer GrabAGun.
Taylor and Hayes acknowledged he could financially benefit if online firearm sales increased, but they also noted his ownership interest is relatively small compared to some claims circulating online.
Meanwhile, gun-control organizations have argued the rule could significantly increase firearm sales if finalized.
Nothing Is Final Yet
It’s important to remember that this is only a proposed rule.
The public comment period remains open until Aug. 8, after which the ATF will review comments before deciding whether to move forward.
Whether you love the idea or hate it, it’s one of the more interesting firearm proposals to emerge this year because it isn’t centered on banning guns. It’s about changing how Americans legally buy them.
If the rule survives the process, the local gun counter may not disappear anytime soon. But one day, buying a firearm from an in-state dealer could be as simple as logging onto a secure video call, passing your background check, and waiting for the delivery truck.
What do you think? Is remote firearm purchasing a smart modernization of the process, or does it remove an important layer of safety? Let us know in the comments.
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