Gun Control Group Sues ATF, DOJ Over Withheld Crime-Gun Dealer Records
Brady, a gun-control group, sued the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Justice Department in U.S. federal court in Washington, D.C., to force release of Demand Letter 2 records.[1]
Demand Letter 2s are sent to dealers who sold at least 25 guns later recovered at crime scenes in a calendar year.[1] Brady asked the court for DL2s covering 2017 through 2021 and for 2025.[1]
The ATF denied Brady's Freedom of Information Act request, saying release would reveal personal information, trade secrets and other private commercial details.[1] ATF Director Robert Cekada supported a 2025 pause of the DL2 program, and the agency says it has used DL2 data to trace more than 190,000 firearms since 2000.[1]
The suit comes as ATF and Justice Department leaders appointed under President Trump promote a pro-Second Amendment agenda and have proposed more than 30 regulatory changes they say would ease burdens on the firearms industry.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Brady sued ATF and DOJ in D.C. federal court to compel release of Demand Letter 2 records.
- Demand Letter 2s go to dealers that sold at least 25 guns later recovered at crime scenes in a calendar year; Brady seeks letters from 2017-2021 and 2025.
- ATF denied the FOIA request, arguing DL2 disclosure would reveal personal information, trade secrets, commercial details and invade privacy.
- ATF Director Robert Cekada supported a 2025 pause of the DL2 program and the agency has used DL2 data to trace over 190,000 firearms since 2000.
- The lawsuit comes as ATF and DOJ leaders under President Trump promote a pro–Second Amendment agenda and propose more than 30 rule changes to ease industry burdens.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time