Donald Trump Jr. is speaking out – and not just as a gun enthusiast, but as someone directly affected by the ATF’s pistol brace ban. In a recent episode of his podcast Triggered, he shared the personal and legal frustrations he’s faced as the federal government reclassified millions of law-abiding Americans as potential felons. “I’m not Hunter Biden,” he joked, noting that unlike the president’s son, he wouldn’t be given a pass. “They’d love to make an example out of me,” Trump Jr. said.
His comments, featured in a Gun Owners of America (GOA) video hosted by Ben Sanderson, drive home how the crackdown affects even the most high-profile gun owners in the country.
GOA Rallies Behind the SHORT Act and Hearing Protection Act
GOA is leveraging this momentum to push for two major pieces of pro-gun legislation: the SHORT Act and the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). According to Sanderson, these bills aim to “rip up and tear out” Biden-era rules targeting short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), any other weapons (AOWs), and suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). These firearms are currently subject to heavy restrictions and a burdensome $200 tax, even though millions are owned by peaceful gun owners like Trump Jr.
A Target on Don Jr.’s Back
During the Triggered episode, Trump Jr. explained why he ultimately decided to register his pistols, despite strongly opposing the law. “It doesn’t mean I’m happy about it,” he said. “It just means I’m not going to jail for this.” He noted that as someone who shoots full-auto weapons, owns suppressors, and regularly appears in social media videos, he’s already on the ATF’s radar. His fear isn’t irrational – Trump Jr. said he’s spoken to ATF insiders who’ve openly admitted they “hate him” simply for his advocacy and visibility.
A High-Stakes Choice for Gun Owners
Trump Jr. also sympathized with gun owners forced to choose between non-compliance and risking prosecution. He and Class III firearms manufacturer George Umstrom, who appeared as a guest on the show, acknowledged that while many would like to “draw a line in the sand,” doing so can be perilous, especially for high-profile individuals. “We obviously have to err on the side of caution and follow the law,” Umstrom said, despite believing the law itself is unconstitutional.
Rep. Andrew Clyde: We’re Closer Than Ever
Gun Owners of America also recently released an exclusive interview with Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt. Clyde, a longtime firearms dealer and defender of gun rights, emphasized how pivotal this moment is. “This is the closest we’ve ever been to restoring key parts of the Second Amendment,” Clyde said. He’s spearheading the effort to pass the SHORT Act and HPA through budget reconciliation, which would bypass the Senate filibuster and allow passage with Republican votes only.
Taking Aim at the National Firearms Act
Clyde explained the core problem: for nearly 100 years, the NFA has taxed and restricted firearms that are constitutionally protected. In 1934, a suppressor cost just $6.50, but the $200 tax made it functionally unaffordable. That tax, still in place, equates to $5,000 in today’s dollars, Clyde said. “This was designed to price people out,” he argued. And the registry? That came after the tax, creating what Clyde called a de facto gun owner database, one GOA believes is unconstitutional.
The ATF’s Pistol Brace Whiplash
Another major concern is the ATF’s shifting stance on pistol braces, which Clyde called “a bureaucratic nightmare.” Approved in 2012, then questioned in 2015, reaffirmed in 2017, and reversed again in 2023, the classification changes have led to mass confusion – and, in the ATF’s latest interpretation, criminal penalties. “They keep moving the goalposts,” said Clyde. “That’s no way to regulate a constitutional right.”
Don Jr. Calls Out Double Standards
One of Trump Jr.’s sharpest critiques centered on the politicization of enforcement. He pointed out that elite figures like Hunter Biden or favored insiders don’t face the same risks for gun violations. “I will not get a pass,” Trump Jr. said. “They’ll use the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team to raid Mar-a-Lago – but not for anyone else.” That sense of selective enforcement fuels the argument that the NFA and recent rule changes aren’t just bad policy – they’re being wielded against political targets.
Restoring Rights, Not Just Protecting Them
During the GOA interview, Erich Pratt praised Clyde for pushing to restore rights, not just “slow the erosion.” Clyde agreed: “I told my constituents I won’t just defend the Second Amendment – I’ll roll back the violations.” He reiterated that both the tax and registration systems for SBRs and suppressors must go, and pledged to fight for their full repeal in the final reconciliation bill. “If we can’t do it now, we’ll never get another chance,” Clyde said.
The Path to Passage: Public Pressure Matters
Both GOA and Rep. Clyde stressed the importance of grassroots pressure. “Call Speaker Johnson,” Sanderson urged in the GOA video. Clyde echoed the sentiment: “If you’ve got a Democrat representative, skip them – call the leadership.” The push is especially focused on ensuring that short-barreled firearms don’t get dropped in negotiations. “We need those calls,” Clyde said. “It absolutely makes a difference.”
The Line in the Sand Is Here
Don Jr.’s comments and the broader push by GOA and pro-gun lawmakers signal that we’ve reached a critical point in the Second Amendment fight. The ATF’s vague, ever-changing rules on items like pistol braces and suppressors have created a chilling effect among lawful gun owners. When even someone as visible as Don Jr. feels forced to comply “just to stay out of jail,” it’s clear that the law no longer serves justice – it serves fear. The SHORT Act and HPA are not just symbolic wins – they’re essential corrections to decades of overreach.
What Comes Next?
If passed, the SHORT Act would remove short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs from the NFA. The Hearing Protection Act would do the same for suppressors. These reforms would eliminate the $200 tax, end the registry, and ensure gun owners aren’t criminalized for barrel length or firearm accessories. According to Clyde, with budget reconciliation, Republicans have a narrow but real chance to make it happen, without a single Democrat vote.
An Uneasy Reality
As Don Jr. put it, “I’m not thrilled. I don’t agree with it. But I’m not going to jail over it.” His statement sums up the uneasy reality for many gun owners today. But with legislation on the move and voices like GOA, Clyde, and Don Jr. getting louder, there’s hope that the next chapter of this fight will be about restoring rights, not negotiating away freedoms.
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The article Don Jr. Sounds Off on Gun Rights Fight: Here’s Where He Stands first appeared on Survival World.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.
