Shift in Small-Arms Export Approvals Opposed by a Top Democrat
- Menendez wants State Department in charge, not Commerce
- NRA Institute backs move as benefit to ‘ordinary gun owners’
Robert Menendez.
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says he’s intent on blocking the State Department from shifting regulation to the Commerce Department for exports of military-style firearms including certain pistols, semi-automatic rifles and related ammunition.
Senator Robert Menendez said in to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross that he’s placing a hold on the move under a provision in the Arms Export Control Act until his concerns are addressed.