DOJ Considers Firearm Restrictions for Americans With Gender Dysphoria

The Department of Justice is currently reviewing the possibility of implementing restrictions on firearms access for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria. This term, recognized in medical literature, describes a conflict between an individual’s birth sex and their gender identity. Reports indicate that recent incidents involving individuals grappling with gender identity have prompted the department to consider whether new safety measures are necessary.

A source within the DOJ remarks that Democrats have long advocated for ‘common sense’ gun control, and they believe this measure falls under such a category. However, this raises important questions about the potential impacts on transgender individuals. The department has held multiple internal meetings discussing various approaches, including potentially barring transgender individuals deemed ‘unstable and unwell’ from purchasing or owning firearms.

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This issue potentially places Democrats, who typically favor stricter gun control, at odds with conservatives defending constitutionally provided gun rights. The significance of this should not be overlooked, as it may also force Democrats who support transgender rights to protect gun rights. It is important to note that no final decision has been reached on the matter.

Nearly 1 million people in the U.S., or approximately 0.3% of the population, identify as transgender, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 2023 Gallup survey reported that about 32% of U.S. adults own a firearm, with a larger proportion, 44%, living in a household where at least one firearm is present.

However, there is a notable lack of government-published data combining gender identity and firearm ownership. Such data is collected through independent surveys rather than governmental sources, and these surveys typically do not account for transgender or LGBTQ+ identity. As such, any claims regarding the percentage of transgender individuals who are legal gun owners in the U.S. would be speculative at this point.

The discussion is ongoing, and it will be crucial to keep an eye on this issue as developments unfold. This development follows earlier reports of rising interest in gun ownership among trans individuals, as reported by non-governmental organizations and media outlets. However, these reports are anecdotal and not backed by formal, government-sanctioned statistics.