The Justice Department’s secret talks of banning gun ownership for transgender Americans signals an alarming new attack on constitutional rights that all liberty-minded citizens must watch closely.
DOJ Considers Targeted Gun Restrictions After Minneapolis Shooting
Senior Justice Department officials began internal discussions about restricting the right of transgender Americans to own firearms, following the August 27, 2025, shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The alleged perpetrator, a transgender woman, became the focus of intense media scrutiny and ignited public debate over gun rights and identity-based restrictions. Despite strong traditions of equal protection and the presumption of innocence, the DOJ is weighing rules that would single out an entire group for exclusion from a constitutional right, raising deep alarm among supporters of the Second Amendment and individual liberty.
The internal DOJ meetings, held between August 28 and September 4, 2025, have not produced any formal policy, but leaks to major media outlets confirm that the Office of Legal Counsel is actively evaluating the legal feasibility of such a rule. This is the first time in U.S. history that a federal agency has considered restricting firearm rights based on gender identity. Notably, the discussions are driven by one tragic incident—not by a documented pattern of violence within the transgender community. Critics warn that responding to rare events with sweeping bans sets a dangerous precedent and risks eroding the constitutional standards that protect all Americans.
Medical and Legal Experts Reject Basis for Ban
Medical authorities, including the American Psychiatric Association, have been quick to point out that being transgender is not a mental illness—a key distinction, since federal firearm restrictions historically apply only to those adjudicated as mentally ill. Legal experts emphasize that targeting a group for exclusion based on identity, absent evidence of increased risk or due process, is likely unconstitutional and would face immediate court challenges. Civil rights organizations also warn that such a rule would violate anti-discrimination laws and could open the floodgates to further erosions of individual liberty under the guise of public safety.
The rationale for the DOJ’s consideration appears rooted in political pressure and sensational media coverage rather than any scientific or statistical basis. Social scientists report no credible evidence linking transgender identity to increased rates of violence. This fact undermines the justification for such a sweeping restriction and suggests the move is more about optics than effective policy. Second Amendment advocates note that, if successful, the rule could set a precedent for other identity-based exclusions, threatening the rights of countless law-abiding citizens.
Broader Ramifications and Strong Opposition Expected
If the DOJ advances this rule, it will almost certainly trigger a wave of legal challenges and public backlash. Gun rights organizations, including the NRA, have historically opposed any new restrictions, especially those that appear arbitrary or discriminatory. Civil rights groups have already signaled readiness to fight any attempt to single out a minority group for deprivation of fundamental rights. Even within the DOJ, officials are said to be divided, aware that such a rule could be struck down in court and fuel further mistrust of government overreach.
Beyond the legal and ethical concerns, the proposal risks deepening social divides and fueling culture wars. Targeting transgender Americans for exclusion may inflame tensions and lead to broader stigmatization, without addressing real drivers of violence. Meanwhile, gun retailers and mental health professionals could be drawn into complex legal battles over compliance and classification. For conservatives, the issue is clear: protecting the Constitution means standing against any attempt to erode rights based on politics or identity, regardless of the pressure campaigns from the left or sensationalist media.
DOJ weighs banning transgender people from owning firearmshttps://t.co/IHercGhBUG pic.twitter.com/wJQGIgHqUn
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 5, 2025
As of early September 2025, no official DOJ policy has been announced, but the ongoing deliberations mark a critical new front in the battle over gun rights and government power. Americans concerned about the steady encroachment on constitutional liberties must stay vigilant, demand transparency, and hold officials accountable for any attempt to undermine the Second Amendment or target citizens for who they are rather than what they have done. This episode is a stark reminder that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance—especially when unelected bureaucrats consider policies that threaten the rights of us all.
Sources:
DOJ mulling rule that could restrict transgender individuals from owning guns
After Minneapolis Shooting, Feds May Ban Gun Ownership For Trans People
Justice Department considering restricting gun ownership for trans people, CNN reports