Trump Pushes Plan to Ban Guns for Transgender People

• Trump Pushes Plan to Ban Guns for Transgender People
• Controversy Over Rights and Stigma
• Legal Debate in the United States

According to EFE, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is exploring legal avenues to restrict access to firearms for transgender individuals, CNN reported on Thursday.

Senior Justice Department officials are reportedly reviewing a preliminary proposal aimed at limiting the right to bear arms for those who identify as transgender.

A Justice Department source cited by CNN said the initiative is justified on the grounds of “ensuring that people with mental illnesses who suffer from gender dysphoria cannot obtain firearms while they are unstable and ill.”

However, the statement is controversial because in 2018 the World Health Organization stopped classifying gender dysphoria as a mental illness, reclassifying it instead as a “condition related to sexual health.”

Legal Obstacles in the United States

The Justice Department is examining ways to limit transgender people’s right to own guns, according to two officials familiar with the discussionshttps://t.co/dRIXMjrbFY

— CNN (@CNN) September 4, 2025

This technical detail poses a legal challenge for the administration, as federal law requires that only a judge can declare someone mentally “deficient” in order to strip them of their right to own firearms.

For now, the proposal remains in early discussions but is a response to a wave of commentary in conservative media following a recent shooting in Minneapolis.

That case involved Robin Westman, who opened fire in a Catholic school, killing two children before taking their own life.

Court documents indicate that Westman had legally changed their name from Robert to Robin after identifying as a woman, though authorities have not officially confirmed those details.

Controversy and Attacks on the Trans Community

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemns anti-trans hate in wake of school shooting, calls for unity:

“Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity” #NOH8 pic.twitter.com/VHz88zHi3L

— NOH8 Campaign (@NOH8Campaign) August 27, 2025

The tragedy sparked a storm of rhetoric on social media and conservative networks, linking transgender identity directly to the act of violence.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey pushed back strongly, demanding an end to attacks on the transgender community.

“Anyone exploiting this situation to demonize our trans community, or any other community, has lost their sense of common humanity,” Frey declared.

Despite his appeal, members of Trump’s cabinet escalated their rhetoric against transgender people after the incident.

Trump’s Broader Anti-Trans Agenda

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem used social media to post derogatory remarks about the shooter, referencing her name change years earlier.

The comments are widely seen as part of a broader pattern of restrictive measures Trump has promoted since taking office.

During his first nine months in power, the Republican president has issued several executive orders that directly affect transgender people.

On January 20, his inauguration day, Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to recognize only two sexes.

Restrictions for the Trans Community in the Military and Sports

A week later, he banned transgender people from serving in the military, arguing that identifying with a gender different from one’s sex at birth “affects cohesion, effectiveness, and military standards.”

The White House later advanced policies preventing transgender women and girls from participating in state-funded sports.

It also sought to revoke records achieved by transgender athletes, sparking sharp criticism from civil rights groups.

The new push to restrict firearm access for transgender people fits within this framework but poses a major legal challenge.

Political Debate and Future of the Proposal

Experts warn that classifying gender dysphoria as a mental condition that disqualifies someone from owning firearms contradicts the WHO’s stance and could trigger a lengthy judicial battle.

Critics also argue that automatically linking trans identity with violent behavior is a stigmatizing generalization that endangers an already vulnerable community.

Human rights advocates stress that the government should focus on broader gun control measures instead of targeting a specific social group.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department’s proposal remains under review, with no final draft or timeline for a formal rollout.