Federal authorities ponder over potential regulation limiting transgender persons' right to possess firearms, according to confidential sources.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering a new rule that could impact the gun ownership rights of transgender individuals, according to reports. This move is seen as the latest escalation in an ongoing push by the Trump Administration to restrict the rights of transgender people.
The policy discussions are reportedly in their early stages and are driven in part by chatter in right-wing media. DOJ officials have debated whether having a diagnosis of gender dysphoria could disqualify someone under a federal law that restricts people who are "adjudicated as mental defective" from owning guns.
However, it's important to note that the American Psychiatric Association and other major medical associations do not consider being transgender a mental illness. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that transgender people are more likely to be violent than the general population. In fact, transgender people are far more likely than average to be the victim of a violent crime.
The Human Rights Campaign, a leading advocacy organisation for LGBTQ+ rights, has responded to the DOJ's proposed rule, stating that transgender people are entitled to the full protection of the nation's laws. Laurel Powell, director of communications at the Human Rights Campaign, warns that if rights can be stripped from one group because of who they are, they can be stripped from anyone.
The DOJ's proposed rule is not specifically targeting transgender individuals, but the Human Rights Campaign views it as anti-American nonsense. Such a proposal could face significant pushback from civil rights groups and gun rights organisations.
The discussions have percolated among top officials in the Justice Department, including the Office of Legal Counsel. The DOJ's efforts also include pursuing civil rights investigations into cities that it claims engage in a pattern or practice of depriving local citizens of their Second Amendment rights.
This proposed rule comes after a Minneapolis Catholic church shooting carried out by a transgender woman. The DOJ is also reportedly considering options to prevent violence from individuals with specific mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders.
Liz Neporent and Deena Zaru contributed to this report. It's crucial to stay informed about these developments, as they may significantly impact the lives of transgender individuals and the broader LGBTQ+ community.
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