Lawmakers Seek Answers on Commerce Gun Export Oversight
The Commerce Department should do more to restrict exports of assault rifles, which have increased since their export licensing oversight was transferred from the State Department in 2020, four Democratic lawmakers said in a Sept. 28 letter to Secretary Gina Raimondo. The lawmakers asked Commerce to outline its processes for preventing weapons from being exported to human rights abusers, explain its end-user verification process, and provide statistics on its export license approvals and denials for assault weapons.
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The lawmakers -- Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, and Norma Torres, D-Calif. -- said export license approvals for firearms have “soared” under Commerce authority. The agency oversaw a 30% increase in approved licenses in the first 16 months after it acquired the authority from the State Department, they said.
“This increase started during the Trump Administration and continued under your watch,” the lawmakers said. “We seek further information about your approvals of assault weapons exports, and urge you to revise your approach to align with President Biden’s gun safety agenda in prioritizing national security and human lives over gun industry profits.” A Commerce spokesperson said the agency has received the letter and will "respond directly to the sender through the appropriate channels."
Warren and other lawmakers in July questioned BIS Undersecretary Alan Estevez about the increased weapons sales, saying the transfer from the State Department has allowed the U.S. to approve more weapons sales overseas, contributing to violent crime and corruption (see 2207150027). Estevez said some of the approved sales include exports to Ukraine and added that the State Department provides input on the licensing decisions.