While Washington gridlock continues under what’s being dubbed the Schumer Shutdown, President Donald Trump is once again proving himself to be the strongest ally gun owners have ever had in the White House. Even as federal operations grind to a halt, Trump continues to ensure that the rights of law-abiding Americans under the Second Amendment remain protected.
We’ve covered before how President Trump has used his office to advance the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. From rolling back burdensome Biden-era restrictions on firearm exports to establishing a formal government policy to end the “debanking” of individuals or corporations over their political beliefs, Trump’s actions have consistently strengthened the position of responsible gun owners. His Department of Justice even created a Second Amendment Task Force specifically designed “to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Standing Firm Despite Congressional Gridlock
Because of narrow margins in Congress, sweeping pro-gun legislation has been difficult to pass. Nevertheless, Trump achieved a significant legislative victory earlier this year with the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which he signed into law on July 4th. The bill marked one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to consolidate reforms that protect constitutional liberties—including the right to bear arms.
Now, as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s weeks-long government shutdown continues to disrupt countless federal services, President Trump is once again stepping in where leadership is lacking. Many federal employees are either furloughed or forced to work without pay until Congress passes a budget. But one area that won’t see disruption is the ability for law-abiding Americans to enjoy hunting on federal lands.
Protecting Hunters and Outdoor Traditions
Thanks to President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, hunting will remain open and accessible on National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) lands despite the ongoing shutdown. While not every NWR allows hunting, the national system includes more than 750 protected areas encompassing over 850 million acres—a vast portion of which offers prime hunting opportunities.
According to reporting from the Daily Caller, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was specifically instructed to keep hunting activities operational on all refuge lands where hunting is normally permitted. The plan exempts refuge law enforcement officers from furloughs, ensuring that both safety and conservation standards are upheld. At least one employee will also remain on-site at each active refuge to oversee operations and maintain public safety.
For many Americans, hunting is not only a cherished tradition—it’s a symbol of independence and self-reliance deeply tied to the spirit of the Second Amendment. By keeping these opportunities open, Trump is defending far more than recreation—he’s preserving a way of life that embodies American freedom.
Restoring Firearm Application Processing
In addition to preserving hunting access, the Trump administration took another major step to safeguard Second Amendment rights amid the shutdown: the resumption of National Firearms Act (NFA) application processing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) employees who handle applications under the NFA—covering items such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and other tightly regulated firearms—were ordered back to work despite the shutdown. This means that responsible gun owners can continue to legally acquire and register these items without delay.
For context, these applications are vital for ensuring lawful ownership under existing federal law, and a government shutdown could have easily halted the entire system—leaving law-abiding citizens stranded in bureaucratic limbo. But under Trump’s direction, the process was restarted, showing once again his commitment to protecting citizens’ access to legal firearms and firearm accessories.
A Consistent Record of Action
This is far from the first time President Trump has taken decisive action to defend the rights of gun owners. Over the course of his presidency and now during this shutdown, his administration has made clear that it stands firmly against efforts to erode the Second Amendment through red tape or financial discrimination.
The repeal of the Biden-era crackdown on firearm exports restored fairness to American firearms manufacturers and sportsmen’s markets. His fight against politically motivated “debanking” practices ensured that pro-gun businesses and advocacy groups would not be unfairly cut off from essential financial services. The formation of the DOJ’s Second Amendment Task Force underscored his recognition that government overreach often comes quietly, through regulation rather than legislation—and must be fought at every level.
Taken together, these policies form a consistent pattern: President Trump acts to protect law-abiding Americans from government abuse and political discrimination, whether the threat comes from Congress, the banking system, or activist bureaucrats.
A True Defender of Constitutional Rights
In an era where the right to bear arms is under constant attack—from restrictive state laws to corporate censorship—President Trump’s leadership stands in stark contrast. Even during a shutdown triggered by partisan brinkmanship, he has ensured that hunters can continue to enjoy public lands and that firearms owners can continue to exercise their legal rights without interruption.
The message is clear: under Trump’s watch, the Second Amendment will not be treated as a second-class right.
As the political establishment continues to play games in Washington, Trump remains focused on the fundamentals—protecting freedom, defending self-reliance, and ensuring that ordinary Americans can live without fear of having their constitutional rights chipped away by bureaucracy.
Once again, he’s demonstrated what millions of gun owners already know: when it comes to defending the Second Amendment, President Trump delivers.
