Ben Sanderson of Gun Owners of America (GOA) opened his report with a simple question: Can you believe it’s already been 100 days since Trump took office? In his latest “Minuteman Moment” video, Sanderson outlined more than 20 major victories for gun owners during President Trump’s early days in office. GOA, one of the country’s most vocal pro-Second Amendment groups, offered a rare and detailed scorecard highlighting executive orders, DOJ investigations, and sweeping policy reversals that all favored lawful gun ownership.
Executive Orders: A New Direction for Gun Policy
Sanderson began his list with what he called the “most important” win – Trump’s Second Amendment Executive Order issued on February 7. It directed the Department of Justice to review all Second Amendment infringements, particularly those from the Biden era. According to Sanderson, this is the first time in U.S. history a president has signed a truly pro-gun executive order, contrasting sharply with past presidents who used executive powers to restrict gun rights. Trump’s order even led to the creation of a Second Amendment Task Force.
Reforming DC Carry Laws
Trump’s push didn’t stop there. Under his “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful” executive order, the administration began working with local DC authorities to speed up and reduce the cost of concealed carry license applications. Sanderson emphasized this change as a much-needed boost for residents in the nation’s capital, where carry permits have long been bogged down by bureaucracy and expense.
Shutting Down Biden’s Gun Control Office
One of the most symbolic moments of Trump’s first 100 days was the dismantling of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which had been established under Biden. Sanderson called this office nothing more than a front to place gun control lobbyists inside the executive branch. The removal of this office made way for a new Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force, run by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Its first target? California’s 18-month backlog in processing concealed carry permits.
Crippling the ATF’s Zero Tolerance Rule
Sanderson applauded the reversal of the ATF’s zero tolerance policy, which under Biden had led to hundreds of FFL (Federal Firearm License) revocations. Gun stores were shuttered for minor infractions, and their customer records sent to what GOA calls the ATF’s illegal gun registry. Trump temporarily appointed GOA ally Kash Patel as acting ATF director, and Patel promptly repealed the policy before returning to the FBI.
Firing the Bureaucrats Behind the Crackdowns
According to Sanderson, Trump’s administration didn’t just change the rules – it cleaned house. ATF officials involved in targeting gun owners, including Deputy Director Marvin Richardson and Chief Counsel Pamela Hicks, were let go. Sanderson quoted Bondi, who stated plainly that “these people were targeting gun owners,” and it “wasn’t going to happen” under this administration.
Reversing Gun Violence as a Health Crisis
Another major move was the removal of the Surgeon General’s advisory classifying gun violence as a public health crisis. GOA criticized this classification as medical malpractice, accusing the Biden administration of using it to divert public health funds to gun control research. Under Trump, the advisory was rolled back, cutting off funding streams that were supporting anti-gun lobbying under a medical banner.
The Schumer Amendment Gets Rolled Back
Sanderson also described Attorney General Bondi’s rollback of the Schumer Amendment, a rule that blocked funding for ATF agents to restore gun rights to former felons. Now, non-violent offenders who have paid their dues have a clearer path to regaining their Second Amendment rights. GOA celebrated this as a major victory for restorative justice and constitutional freedom.
Ending Operation Chokepoint’s Legacy
Trump’s FDIC also took action by removing the “reputational risk” standard from banking rules. Originally used during Obama’s Operation Chokepoint, this allowed banks to cut ties with legal businesses like gun manufacturers based purely on political bias. Sanderson explained that this rule was used to debank gun companies and dry up their financial resources. Repealing it was another major policy-level win for the firearms industry.
National Reciprocity Still a Goal
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, in a press conference clip posted by Forbes Breaking News, was asked whether Trump would push for national concealed carry reciprocity. Leavitt confirmed it’s still on the table, but said Congress must act to make it happen. She also reiterated Trump’s deep support for gun rights, especially as violent crime rises in major cities. “Law-abiding Americans have a constitutional right to defend themselves,” she stated, “and the president absolutely supports that.”
Restoring the Civilian Marksmanship Program
Another quiet but impactful win was the restoration of the CMP’s sale of surplus 1911 pistols, a program that had been paused under the Biden administration. GOA said this helped preserve civilian marksmanship skills while also connecting Americans to military history and heritage. It’s a small gesture, but symbolic of a broader respect for the civilian firearm tradition.
Ghost Guns and Red Flags – A Peek Behind the Curtain
Thanks to DNI Tulsi Gabbard, another unexpected reveal came when she declassified Biden’s secret plan for targeting gun owners through red flag laws, ghost gun crackdowns, and executive actions. This document, now public, gives insight into how aggressive the prior administration’s gun control strategy really was. Sanderson praised the transparency, calling it a necessary step toward exposing and rolling back abuse of executive power.
A Remarkable First Chapter
Whether you support Trump or not, it’s hard to ignore the sheer volume of Second Amendment reforms coming out of his first 100 days. What stands out isn’t just the speed – it’s the depth of the changes. Bureaucrats removed. Policies overturned. Gun control infrastructure dismantled. And executive power used in the opposite direction of recent history. Ben Sanderson and Karoline Leavitt made it clear: Trump isn’t just “not Biden” – he’s swinging the pendulum all the way back.
Grassroots Pressure Is Working
GOA made sure to highlight one important reason these wins are happening: grassroots activism. Their members pushed for DOJ to back off specific prosecutions, and it worked. Cases like U.S. v. Range and New York v. Arm or Ally LLC shifted after public pressure. It’s proof that when gun owners stay vocal and organized, policy can be shaped from the bottom up, not just the top down.
Looking Ahead
As Sanderson closed out the video, he emphasized that the Trump administration is just getting started. With nearly four years still to go, GOA expects more victories – and more battles ahead. Leavitt echoed this confidence, reminding the press that while national reciprocity still requires congressional action, Trump’s commitment to gun owners is rock solid. If the first 100 days are any sign, pro-gun advocates now have a seat at the table – and they’re not wasting time.
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.