Customers view semi-automatic guns on display at a gun shop in Los Angeles, California December 19, 2012. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins/File Photo)
The Second Amendment Institute told Fox News Digital the ATF’s new rule is "another example of them going beyond their statutory authority for political purposes.
"It infringes upon the rights of law-abiding citizens and adds unnecessary burdens to those seeking to exercise their Second Amendment rights," the organization said.
The Gun Owners of America’s Director of Federal Affairs Aidan Johnston accused the Biden administration of "weaponizing every tool in their tool box to intimidate, harass, and criminalize gun owners with unlawful executive actions."
"This Backdoor Universal Registration Check rule is nothing more than a move to criminalize the sale of a single gun without a background check. By doing so, the government hopes to ensure that they are fully involved in every firearm transfer, and eventually the records of all those transfers will end up in their records database, which we have confirmed the existence of through FOIA requests, leaks, and congressional inquiry," Johnston said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
FILE PHOTO: AR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at a gun store. (REUTERS/Bing Guan)
Lawrence Keane, the foundation's senior vice president and general counsel, said Thursday that the organization was reviewing the regulation after contending previously that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was overstepping its legal authority.
The new rule marks the Biden administration’s latest effort to combat gun violence. President Biden has said the measure will "keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and felons."
"And my administration is going to continue to do everything we possibly can to save lives. Congress needs to finish the job and pass universal background checks legislation now," he said.
The rule, which was finalized this week, makes clear that anyone who sells firearms predominantly to earn a profit must be federally licensed and conduct background checks, regardless of whether they are selling on the internet, at a gun show or at a brick-and-mortar store, Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters.
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Biden administration officials said they are confident the rule, which drew more than 380,000 public comments, would withstand anticipated lawsuits from gun rights groups.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.
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