Olivia Asher is a reporter at the New Herald Tribune covering breaking news for the Digital Trends Desk. Before joining the newsroom in 2022, she covered criminal justice issues at the Orlando Plain Dealer.
August 28 , 2025
Washington, D.C. — In the wake of a mass shooting at a church in Minnesota, President Trump signed a controversial executive order banning transgender individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms.
The move, which the White House says is aimed at “protecting public safety,” has drawn immediate criticism from civil rights organizations, medical professionals, and Second Amendment advocates across the political spectrum.
The executive order, officially titled “Order to Preserve National Safety Through Common-Sense Firearm Restrictions”, cites “emerging threats tied to gender-identity-related instability” as a justification for the restriction. The order directs the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to begin identifying transgender individuals through federal records and to coordinate with state agencies to enforce the ban.
President Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office.
“This administration will do everything in its power to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people who pose a threat to society,” Trump said. “We are acting swiftly, and we are acting wisely.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called the order “an unconstitutional act of discrimination” and pledged to challenge it in court.
“This is not only a clear violation of equal protection under the law, but also a dangerous precedent in which a marginalized group is scapegoated following a tragedy,” said ACLU legal director Maria Hastings.
Gun rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has largely supported Trump during his presidency, declined to comment.
Some conservative and faith-based groups praised the order, arguing it is a step toward addressing mental health concerns in relation to gun violence.
“We have long advocated for reforms that recognize the mental health crisis in America, and this is a move in the right direction,” said Rev. Carl Benson, director of the Family Values Coalition.
However, experts warn that conflating transgender identity with mental illness or violence is not supported by evidence.
“There is no scientific or statistical basis for banning transgender individuals from owning firearms,” said Dr. Lena Choudhury, a professor of public health at Georgetown University. “Policies like this further stigmatize an already vulnerable population.”
Legal scholars anticipate a swift legal challenge to the executive order. The Supreme Court, now with a 7-2 conservative majority, has not ruled on a case involving transgender rights and the Second Amendment.
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