Protecting Second Amendment Rights
February 7, 2025
Action Summary
- Purpose: Reaffirm the Second Amendment as a foundational safeguard of security and liberty, ensuring that the right to keep and bear arms is not infringed.
- Plan of Action:
- Within 30 days, the Attorney General will review all relevant executive orders, regulations, guidance, and actions to assess potential infringements on Second Amendment rights.
- Review period covers actions from January 2021 through January 2025 including:
- Federal and agency actions that, while promoting safety, may have limited Second Amendment rights.
- Rules and regulations from the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives related to firearms and Federal firearms licensees.
- Agencies’ enhanced regulatory enforcement policies and reports from the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
- Ongoing or potential litigation affecting Americans’ rights, classification of firearms/ammunition, and processing of firearm-related applications.
- Implementation: The Attorney General, in collaboration with the Domestic Policy Advisor, will finalize and establish a process to implement the proposed plan of action.
- General Provisions:
- The order does not impair the authority or functions of any executive department or agency.
- Implementation is subject to applicable laws and appropriations.
- No party has enforceable rights or benefits under this order against the United States or its agencies.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order emphasizes the protection of Second Amendment rights, which could lead to changes in federal regulations and enforcement policies related to firearms. This may impact research and policy analysis conducted by Vanderbilt University, particularly in fields related to law, public policy, and social sciences.
- There is a potential risk of increased litigation and legal challenges surrounding Second Amendment rights, which could affect the university’s legal studies programs and require updates to curriculum and research focus.
- The focus on reviewing and potentially altering existing regulations may create uncertainty in federal funding and grant opportunities related to gun violence prevention and public safety research.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how changes in federal firearms policies could impact campus safety protocols and community engagement initiatives.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt Law School may see increased demand for expertise in constitutional law and Second Amendment rights, presenting opportunities for research and public discourse.
- The Department of Political Science could be impacted by shifts in federal policy, necessitating updates to courses and research projects related to gun control and public policy.
- The Peabody College of Education and Human Development might need to adjust its focus on community safety and violence prevention programs in response to changes in federal priorities.
- The Office of Federal Relations may need to engage more actively with policymakers to understand and influence the implications of this Executive Order on university interests.
Financial Impact
- Changes in federal regulations and enforcement policies could affect funding opportunities for research related to gun violence prevention and public safety, potentially impacting grant strategies and partnerships.
- Vanderbilt University might experience shifts in donor priorities and philanthropic support, particularly from stakeholders with strong positions on Second Amendment rights.
- There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for legal and policy research related to constitutional rights and federal regulations.
- As federal priorities shift, there could be a need for reallocation of resources within the university to address emerging research and policy analysis needs.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks typically involving compliance or ethics.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt University’s Legal and Policy Analysis Department should monitor the outcomes of the Attorney General’s review of actions from January 2021 through January 2025 that may have impacted Second Amendment rights. Understanding these outcomes will be crucial for assessing any potential changes in federal policies that could affect university operations or research funding related to firearms and public safety.
- The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to understand the implications of the proposed plan of action to protect Second Amendment rights. This engagement can help Vanderbilt anticipate any shifts in federal priorities that might influence research opportunities or collaborations in areas related to gun violence prevention and public safety.
- Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies Program should consider conducting research on the societal impacts of changes in Second Amendment-related policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect public safety, community dynamics, and legal interpretations, positioning Vanderbilt as a thought leader in this area.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Public Safety and Justice to expand its research and analysis of gun violence prevention strategies. By leveraging its expertise, the center can contribute to the national conversation on balancing Second Amendment rights with public safety concerns.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on Second Amendment rights by developing new interdisciplinary programs that explore the intersection of law, public policy, and public health. These programs could attract students and researchers interested in addressing complex societal issues related to firearms and safety.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order requires some adjustments to processes or procedures, particularly in legal and policy analysis, to align with potential changes in federal priorities.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Within 30 days after February 7, 2025
Relevance Score: 4
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Justice (DOJ) – Attorney General: Tasked with reviewing existing orders, regulations, and actions across the executive branch to ensure they do not infringe on Second Amendment rights.
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF): Specifically mentioned for its role in promulgating rules related to firearms; its actions are under review regarding their impact on gun rights.
- White House Domestic Policy Advisor: Collaborates with the Attorney General to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to safeguard Second Amendment rights.
- White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention: Its reports and associated documents are subject to examination as part of the review process.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Its functions related to budgetary and administrative processes are explicitly protected under this order, ensuring that its authority remains unaffected.
Relevance Score: 2 (Between three and five agencies are directly impacted by this executive order.)
Responsible Officials
- Attorney General – Charged with reviewing all relevant executive actions and proposing a plan to assess and address potential infringements of Second Amendment rights.
- Domestic Policy Advisor – Collaborates with the Attorney General to finalize and implement the proposed plan of action.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect high-level Cabinet officials and key White House advisors.)