US considers easing of certain arms and ammunition export controls

The US administration is considering moving certain firearms and ammunition out of the remit of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (‘ITAR’).

As part of the ongoing Export Control Reform (‘ECR’) programme, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (‘BIS’) and the Department of State have simultaneously proposed new rules which will result in the export licensing of some sporting and commercial firearms and ammunition being moved from the ITAR-controlled US Munitions List (‘USML’) to the Commerce Control List (‘CCL’), under the Export Administration Regulations (‘EAR’). The move will make it easier for US gunmakers to sell small arms (such as assault rifles and ammunition) abroad and relieve them of annual fees required under the ITAR.

The BIS proposed rule describes how the transitioned articles would be controlled under the CCL, while that of State discusses how Categories I, II, and III of the USML are to be revised ‘to describe more precisely the articles warranting continued control on that list.’

The proposed rules were published on 25 May and the closing date for comments is 7 July.

For BIS’s proposed rule see:
https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/pdfs/2207-05-4-18-signed-commerce-firearms-proposed-rule-delivered-to-ofr-for-publication/file

For the Department of State’s proposed rule see:
http://accurateshooter.net/pix/itarstaterule2018.pdf