Firearms Export Oversight
In 2018, the Trump administration proposed new rules allowing for semiautomatic weapons, ammunition, and other firearms commercially available in the United States to be moved from the U.S. Munitions List (USML) of the Department of State, where sales of over $1 million are subject to Congressional scrutiny, to the Commerce Control List (CCL) of the Department of Commerce, where there is no such requirement. Democrats have put forth legislation to block the changes, most recently a July 11, 2019 addition to the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The new rules have not yet been implemented.
Republican
Donald TrumpThe candidate opposes retention of State Department oversight of firearms exports. Although there are no recorded comments from him on the issue, the Federal Register cites that he made the official determination that certain types of goods falling under the new rules should be reclassified, and his administration has proposed the changes.
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Democrat
Joe BidenThe candidate supports State Department oversight of firearms exports. His gun violence prevention plan specifically mentions overturning any attempt to change this.
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The Biden Plan to End Our Gun Violence Epidemic, released October 2, 2019.
"Biden will ensure that the authority for firearms exports stays with the State Department, and if needed reverse a proposed rule by President Trump."
Elizabeth WarrenThe candidate supports State Department oversight of firearms exports. She has written explicitly about the dangers of firearms transfers, part of her overall critique of the defense industry.
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My Plan for Gun Violence Prevention, published in Medium, August 10, 2019.
"We will reverse the Trump administration’s efforts to make it easier to export U.S.-manufactured weapons by transferring exports of semi-automatic firearms and ammunition from the State Department to the Commerce Department, and we will prevent the import of foreign-manufactured assault weapons into the United States."
Bernie SandersThe candidate is expected to support State Department oversight on firearms exports. While his legislative record is empty of direct statements about this policy in particular, Sanders supports banning assault weapons for civilian sale, suggesting a desire to classify them as military items.
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Statement from Campaign Website, 2019
"Ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons. Assault weapons are designed and sold as tools of war. There is absolutely no reason why these firearms should be sold to civilians."