HAMILTON, Canada

The Trump administration on Monday rescinded a Biden administration rule that had tightened export controls on civilian firearms, according to a statement.

"Today, the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) rescinded an interim final rule (Firearms IFR) issued by the Biden Administration, which imposed onerous export controls on civilian firearms and related ammunition and components," said a statement by the department.

Saying that the move allows American manufacturers "to compete in overseas markets, creating hundreds of millions of dollars per year in export opportunities," the statement also argued that the Biden-era regulation had imposed a "presumption of denial" on exports to 36 countries classified as high-risk, along with new license requirements for sporting shotguns and optics to US allies.

The statement also said the previous regulation introduced stricter documentation and shorter license validity periods for firearms exporters.

Saying Trump-era rules will be restored with the latest move, the statement added: "Under these rules, exports of most pistols, rifles, and non-long-barrel shotguns will remain subject to a worldwide export license requirement."

While allowing long-barreled shotguns and most optics to be exported license-free to allies, the statement said that firearms export paperwork will also be streamlined.

"BIS strongly rejects the Biden Administration's war on the Second Amendment and law-abiding firearms users. With today’s rule, BIS is restoring common sense to export controls and doing right by America's proud firearms industry, while also continuing to protect national security," said Jeffrey I. Kessler, undersecretary of commerce for industry and security, in the statement.

Despite the continuing rash of mass shootings at US schools and churches, the Trump administration has worked to undo the gun control measures enacted by the administration of Joe Biden.