Officials within the US Department of Justice (DoJ) are reportedly discussing proposals to restrict transgender people’s right to own firearms, a move that would dramatically escalate the Trump administration’s stance on trans rights and Second Amendment protections.
The proposal follows a tragic mass shooting at a church school in Minneapolis, where a shooter identified as Robin Westman opened fire at the Annunciation Catholic School on 27 August, killing two children — eight-year-old Fletcher Merkal and ten-year-old Harper Moyski — and injuring 21 others. Westman reportedly fired 116 rifle rounds through the school’s windows before taking his own life.
From Military Ban to Firearms Ban?
Two sources told CNN that DoJ officials are exploring ways to expand the administration’s existing ban on trans people serving in the military, potentially by categorising transgender men and women as “mentally ill” and thus ineligible to exercise their Second Amendment right to own firearms.
However, one senior DoJ official reportedly questioned the feasibility of such a move, pointing out that millions of Americans diagnosed with mental health conditions are still legally permitted to own guns.
“A Slippery Slope”
Alejandra Caraballo, a civil rights lawyer and instructor at Harvard Law School, cautioned that this proposal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the trans community.
“The precedent being used against trans people could be used against veterans with PTSD,” she said.
“It’s a slippery slope to make anyone lose their Second Amendment rights.”
Trans People as “Scapegoats”
Human rights groups have condemned the reported discussions, labelling them a cynical attempt to scapegoat a marginalised group instead of addressing systemic gun violence.
A spokesperson for GLAAD said the Trump administration appeared more focused on targeting a “small and vulnerable population” than developing meaningful policy solutions.
“Trans people make up less than two per cent of the US population but are four times more likely to be the victim of a crime,” the spokesperson noted.
Misinformation
In the wake of recent shootings, right-wing pundits and conspiracy theorists have increasingly tried to link trans people with mass shootings — despite there being no evidence to support such claims.
For example, after the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Vice President JD Vance blamed “left-wing extremism,” even though the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, has no confirmed ties to trans identity or left-wing groups. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and may face the death penalty if convicted.
According to a 2021 report, the vast majority of domestic extremist murders in the US were committed by individuals with right-wing affiliations, and of the 3,708 mass shootings in the US since 2015, only around 16 were linked to publicly out trans individuals.
Even the NRA Is Pushing Back
In a rare moment of opposition to the Trump administration, the National Rifle Association (NRA) issued a statement rejecting the reported plan.
“The NRA does not, and will not, support any policy proposals that implement sweeping gun bans that arbitrarily strip law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights without due process,” a spokesperson said.
“All law-abiding Americans” have the right to own firearms, they added.
