Trump's DOJ looking into restricting firearms for transgender Americans, says report

WASHINGTON, DC: After a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis carried out by a transgender woman, the Donald Trump administration is reportedly exploring ways to restrict gun ownership for transgender Americans.

The attack left two children dead and at least 20 others injured, many of them minors, reigniting the national debate over gun control and identity-based policy decisions.

Notably, a 2023 US Secret Service report showed that 96% of mass shooters between 2016 and 2020 were men, 3% were women, and only 2% were transgender. With most US shootings historically involving non-transgender individuals, why is the administration targeting the transgender community? Here’s what justice officials are reportedly saying.

DOJ may move to restrict gun ownership for transgender Americans

Senior officials at the Justice Department are actively considering proposals to restrict transgender Americans from owning firearms, according to two sources familiar with the internal discussions.

These early-stage talks appear to be fueled by recent narratives in conservative media following the Minneapolis school shooting involving a transgender suspect, Robin Westman.

If implemented, such a policy would mark a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to curtail transgender rights, particularly controversial given the Republican Party’s long-standing opposition to any form of gun control.

According to a Justice Department official who spoke with CNN, the administration is exploring legal avenues to classify transgender individuals as mentally ill, potentially disqualifying them from owning guns under existing federal law.

This push comes despite a 2023 report from the US Secret Service showing that the vast majority of mass attacks in the US had no link to transgender individuals.

The report claimed, "Still, after the deadly shooting last week, some conservative allies of the president quickly claimed that gender dysphoria – the psychological distress and discomfort some people feel when there’s a difference between their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity – is a mental illness that should bar citizens from purchasing a firearm."

Since taking office in January, Trump has already signed two executive orders targeting the transgender community, one banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, and another requiring federal prisons to house inmates according to their birth-assigned sex.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has intensified scrutiny of gender-affirming care by issuing over 20 subpoenas to clinics and doctors who have treated transgender minors.

Trump supporters hail DOJ's plan as a 'smart move'

Following reports that Donald Trump’s DOJ is considering a gun ban for transgender individuals, many internet users quickly took to social media to express their support for the president.

One wrote, "Sounds legit," while a Facebook user said, "Perfect. Anyone against this should also be banned. Any and all mentally ill shouldn’t be allowed to have guns." One more person hailed the plan, writing, "That's a good idea." A commenter shared, "Now that is a smart move." A Trump supporter wrote, "I agree with Trump."

"Good place to start,, it’s not the guns ,it’s the wrong people that acquire the guns !!!!" an individual claimed, while another said, "This should me a mandatory law." One more wrote, "Absolutely agree but anyone mentally unstable. If you can't function without pills, you should not be handling a weapon.”

“Mental illness is a really good reason for them not to own a gun,” an individual remarked. 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.