President Trump Proposes Ban on Gun Ownership for Transgender People

In a move that has shocked civil rights advocates and LGBTQ+ communities nationwide, the Trump administration is reportedly weighing policies that would outlaw gun ownership for transgender individuals. The proposal, which sources say is under active consideration by the Justice Department, follows a tragic church shooting in Minnesota and builds on longstanding political momentum among right-wing groups targeting transgender Americans .

A Justice Department official, speaking to CNN, stated that the restrictions are designed “to ensure that mentally ill individuals suffering from gender dysphoria are unable to obtain firearms while they are unstable and unwell.” The official cited federal statutes that permit stripping gun rights from individuals deemed “mentally defective” or “committed to a mental institution”—though experts note that gender dysphoria, as recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, does not in itself constitute a disorder warranting such measures .

The debate over transgender rights and gun ownership arrives against a backdrop of heightened anti-trans rhetoric and legislative activity. Allies of President Trump—as well as leading right-wing media figures—have repeatedly invoked the recent Minnesota shooting to argue for policies that they claim will “protect public safety,” despite a lack of credible evidence linking transgender identity to increased violence .

This proposed gun ban is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration targeting transgender rights. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court permitted the administration to enforce a policy barring transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military, citing “incompatibility with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service” . The administration has also rolled back previous executive orders protecting LGBTQ+ health rights and has shifted the official government stance in ongoing litigation over gender-affirming care bans .

Civil liberties groups and LGBTQ+ organizations have strongly condemned the proposal, arguing it constitutes discrimination and violates constitutional protections. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a statement denouncing the potential ban as “a dangerous and unprecedented attack on both the Second Amendment and the basic rights of transgender Americans” .

Legal experts point out that federal law requires a judicial determination of mental incapacity before gun rights can be revoked, and that gender dysphoria—while recognized as a medical diagnosis—does not equate to a blanket mental illness disqualifying individuals from firearm ownership . The American Psychiatric Association has clarified that gender identity inconsistent with one’s sex assigned at birth is not, by itself, a mental disorder .

Transgender Americans already face elevated risks of violence, discrimination, and barriers to accessing legal protections . For many, the ability to legally own a firearm is a critical component of personal safety, especially in states where hate crimes and anti-trans attacks are on the rise.

Advocates warn that a blanket gun ban would not only violate civil rights but also exacerbate vulnerabilities for transgender individuals, particularly those who may need self-defense in hostile environments.

The proposed restrictions on transgender gun ownership are part of a broader conservative agenda—embodied in Project 2025—that seeks to roll back recent gains in LGBTQ+ rights, gun safety legislation, and public health measures . Critics argue that the initiative is imbued with racist, homophobic, and transphobic language, blaming marginalized communities for societal challenges rather than investing in root-cause solutions such as mental health support and community violence intervention .

As legal battles and public debate intensify, LGBTQ+ advocates urge allies and policymakers to recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination and to resist efforts to scapegoat vulnerable communities.

The Justice Department has yet to release an official draft of the proposed ban, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment from The Independent and other outlets . In the coming weeks, advocacy groups and legal experts are expected to challenge any formal action, citing constitutional protections and the real-world impact on transgender Americans.

For now, the LGBTQ+ community remains vigilant, continuing to advocate for equal protection under the law and standing firm against policies that threaten safety, dignity, and fundamental rights.