US DOJ Considers Firearm Ban for Transgender People After Minneapolis Shooting

Following a mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis by Robin Westman, a 23-year-old who identified as transgender, the U.S. Justice Department under President Trump's administration is reportedly considering prohibiting firearm sales to individuals who identify as transgender. Officials have framed this potential policy as a measure to prevent mentally ill individuals suffering from gender dysphoria from obtaining firearms while unstable. This move intensifies ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to restrict rights of those who do not conform to traditional gender norms, despite research showing that most mass shootings since 1982 were committed by men without transgender identification. The proposal faces significant legal challenges due to potential conflicts with Second Amendment rights, and it has sparked debate among gun rights supporters who oppose blanket bans on entire groups, advocating instead for mental health evaluations. The discussion also highlights partisan tensions, with Democrats historically supporting gun control measures like red flag laws, while the Trump administration's approach to restricting gun access for the transgender population has elicited criticism and claims of targeting a marginalized group. Far-right voices have also leveraged the shooter's gender identity to advance political narratives following the tragedy.