The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly exploring proposals that could restrict transgender people from purchasing firearms, following last week’s tragic shooting at a Catholic church in Minnesota that left two children dead and 17 others injured.
CNN and the New York Post, citing unnamed sources, described the talks as “preliminary in nature.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem identified the suspect as transgender.
A Justice Department spokesperson said, “The DOJ is actively evaluating options to prevent the pattern of violence we have seen from individuals with specific mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders.
No specific criminal justice proposals have been advanced at this time.”
The discussions could place the Trump administration at odds with the Republican Party’s traditional support for gun rights while potentially targeting the rights of transgender Americans.
Trump has previously signed executive orders banning transgender people from the military and requiring government-issued identification to reflect “an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female.”
Gun rights group Gun Owners of America responded on social media: “GOA opposes any & all gun bans. Full stop.”
