Gun owners across the country are growing increasingly frustrated with Attorney General Pam Bondi and interim ATF head Kash Patel as delays and failures to act on key Second Amendment issues continue to mount. Various prominent figures in the gun rights community have called out the inaction, highlighting missed deadlines, non-compliance with court orders, and ongoing bureaucratic barriers preventing gun rights from being fully restored.
While the administration promised significant pro-Second Amendment reforms, many within the firearms community argue that the lack of progress undermines that commitment.
The Missed Deadline on Trump’s Executive Order
Curtis Hallstrom, host of The VSO Gun Channel, detailed how Pam Bondi missed a crucial deadline set by President Trump. The executive order, issued on February 7, required the Attorney General to review and propose fixes for policies and regulations from previous administrations that had violated the Second Amendment. This review was supposed to be completed within 30 days, meaning a finalized report should have been delivered by March 8. However, that deadline came and went without any formal announcement or clear evidence that Bondi had met her obligations.
Hallstrom pointed out that if the order had been taken seriously, there would have been a straightforward list of executive actions and regulations to reverse. However, the delay suggests that either Bondi is deliberately slowing the process or her office is bogged down in unnecessary bureaucratic review. According to Hallstrom, the longer this takes, the more it indicates that the administration is hesitating instead of taking bold action to defend gun rights.
Mixed Signals from Bondi’s DOJ
Mike from Mrgunsngear Channel echoed these concerns, pointing out that while some progress has been made, much of it is symbolic rather than substantive. He noted that Bondi recently formed a working group within the DOJ focused on restoring firearm rights to non-violent felons who should not have lost them in the first place. The case of Mel Gibson, whose Second Amendment rights were revoked, has been cited as one of the reasons for this initiative. However, gun owners expected immediate and broad reversals of the Biden-era restrictions on firearms, not just the slow development of a task force.
Mrgunsngear specifically called out the failure to roll back critical restrictions, such as the ATF’s pistol brace rule, the reclassification of forced reset triggers (FRTs), and the expanded definition of firearm dealers, all of which were expected to be overturned swiftly. He pointed out that these could have been addressed immediately with policy reversals but remain in effect due to inaction from the DOJ.
A Lingering ATF Non-Compliance Problem
The frustration isn’t just about delays – it’s also about continued defiance from federal agencies. William from Copper Jacket TV provided an in-depth breakdown of the ATF’s refusal to comply with a Texas court order requiring the return of seized forced reset triggers (FRTs) and wide-open triggers (WOTs). In July 2024, the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) won a federal lawsuit against the ATF, forcing the agency to return confiscated FRTs to lawful owners. The court gave the ATF a February 22, 2025 deadline to comply.
Yet, nearly a month later, the ATF has not returned the property as required. Despite Bondi now overseeing the DOJ and Patel acting as the interim ATF director, the agency continues to operate much as it did under previous leadership, ignoring court orders and refusing to return gun parts that were seized under legally questionable circumstances. Copper Jacket TV’s report raises serious concerns about whether the ATF is truly under the control of its new leadership or if bureaucratic resistance is preventing real change.
Demanding Background Checks for Seized Property
Jared Yanis, host of Guns & Gadgets 2nd Amendment News, exposed another major problem in the ATF’s handling of the FRT case: the agency is now demanding background checks from gun owners before returning their seized property. This is despite the fact that these items were originally purchased legally without such requirements. The ATF’s argument is that they must ensure these firearm components are not being returned to prohibited persons—an excuse that Yanis finds completely unacceptable.
According to Yanis, the court order was clear: the ATF must return these items immediately to those from whom they were seized. However, instead of following this order, the agency has created bureaucratic hurdles in an apparent attempt to discourage gun owners from reclaiming their property. In his reporting, Yanis called this “classic government overreach”, arguing that it is a blatant effort to slow-roll compliance and create unnecessary roadblocks.
Patel’s Role: A Wild Card?
While Bondi is at the center of criticism, Patel’s role in the controversy is also under scrutiny. Hallstrom of VSO Gun Channel speculated that Patel, who is known for being strongly pro-Second Amendment, may be facing internal resistance from entrenched ATF officials who are unwilling to comply with the new administration’s directives.
Hallstrom noted that while Patel has spoken publicly about his commitment to protecting gun rights, the lack of action on high-priority issues like the pistol brace ban, FRT reclassification, and ghost gun restrictions raises questions about whether he has the authority to enforce changes within the agency. If Patel is unable to get the ATF to comply with court orders and executive directives, his role as interim director may be ineffective.
Bondi’s Track Record Comes Back to Haunt Her
Mike from Mrgunsngear Channel reminded viewers that many within the firearms community were skeptical of Bondi’s appointment from the very beginning. During her tenure as Florida Attorney General, Bondi had a history of supporting red flag laws, which allow courts to confiscate firearms without due process. Many gun owners feared that this history would carry over into her new role as Attorney General of the United States.
Now, with missed deadlines and delayed policy reversals, those suspicions appear to be confirmed. Gun owners expected immediate and aggressive action to reverse unconstitutional gun restrictions. Instead, they are seeing hesitation, inaction, and continued bureaucratic delays.
What Immediate Actions Should Be Taken?
Gun rights advocates across multiple platforms have outlined several immediate steps that should have already been taken. Hallstrom, Mike, William, and Yanis have all emphasized that the administration must:
- Rescind the pistol brace rule immediately.
- Overturn the ATF’s forced reset trigger and ghost gun regulations.
- End the DOJ’s zero-tolerance policy for Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders.
- Ensure that the ATF fully complies with all outstanding court orders.
Each of these could have been implemented weeks ago, yet none of them have been addressed.
Legal Challenges Could Escalate
With no action from Bondi and Patel, legal pressure is mounting. Copper Jacket TV reported that the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) has already filed additional legal notices of non-compliance against the ATF, signaling that further lawsuits are likely. If Bondi and Patel fail to act, these lawsuits could escalate into federal contempt cases, potentially resulting in penalties against the DOJ and ATF.
A Moment of Reckoning Approaches
The concerns raised by gun rights advocates reflect a deeper frustration with the slow pace of action under Attorney General Pam Bondi and interim ATF director Kash Patel. Gun owners expected swift and decisive reversals of unconstitutional policies, yet the delays and bureaucratic obstacles continue to undermine those expectations. The failure to meet the deadline for President Trump’s executive order is a major red flag, suggesting that either the administration is struggling to enforce its own directives or that certain officials are dragging their feet on purpose.
A Critical Test for the Administration’s Commitment to the Second Amendment
Beyond the missed deadlines, the ATF’s refusal to comply with a federal court order is even more alarming. The continued confiscation of forced reset triggers and the agency’s demand for background checks before returning lawfully owned property directly contradict the court’s ruling.
If Bondi and Patel are serious about restoring Second Amendment rights, they need to immediately enforce compliance, rather than allowing these agencies to operate as if they are above the law. The longer this drags on, the more it appears that the ATF is resisting oversight, and that should be unacceptable to anyone who values constitutional rights.
Will They Alienate the People Who Trusted Them?
The stakes are high, not just for gun owners but for the administration itself. The Second Amendment community played a crucial role in electing leaders who promised to roll back the anti-gun policies of previous administrations. If Bondi and Patel fail to act decisively, they risk alienating those who trusted them to restore gun rights. There is still time for them to correct course, but every day of inaction weakens confidence in their ability – or willingness – to deliver on their promises. Gun owners will not sit idly by, and if these issues are not addressed soon, the backlash could be significant.
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 writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.