BIS Suspends New Export Applications for Certain Firearms

The Bureau of Industry and Security on Oct. 27 announced an immediate 90-day suspension of new export licenses for certain firearms, components and ammunition while it reviews its firearms policies to determine whether any permanent changes are “warranted.” During the next 90 days, the agency said it will not issue any new licenses for those exports to non-government end users worldwide, apart from Ukraine, Israel or a nation listed in Country Group A:1.

BIS said the new policy will apply to items listed under Export Control Classification Numbers 0A501, 0A502, 0A504 and 0A505. Although exporters can continue to submit license applications to BIS for these items, the agency said it will place all those applications on “Hold Without Action” until the 90-day pause is over. It also said the pause doesn’t apply to previously issued licenses, although the agency may “modify, suspend, or revoke” existing licenses “as appropriate.”

BIS said it will conduct the 90-day review “with urgency." The review is part of an effort to “more effectively assess and mitigate risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities.”