The Trump administration is moving toward a shift of authority over the approval of small arms exports from the State Department to the Commerce Department, The Washington Times reported.
The exports affected would include semiautomatic rifles and weapons ranging in size up to .50 caliber, the news outlet reported.
Advocates say the change could result in a growth in revenue for the firearms industry by $340 million a year, and would boost export sales by up to 20 percent, the Times reported.
Critics warn the policy change could end barriers designed to keep U.S.-made firearms from criminals and terrorists overseas.
"President [Donald] Trump is following through on his commitment to reduce the regulatory burden on American employers, which will result in more jobs and a stronger economy," a senior White House official told the news outlet.
In a closed-door briefing for lawmakers, officials discussed specifics of the shift that has been sought by small arms manufacturers as a way to cut red tape and boost exports, the Times reported.
Key restrictions on exports to shady international buyers will remain in place, the news outlet reported.
Monday's briefing opened a public comment period that lasts for 45 days.
The "regulatory burden on the U.S. commercial firearms and ammunition industry" will be "significantly reduce[d]," principal deputy assistant Secretary of State Tina Kaidanow said, the Times reported.
The shift will "promote American exports," she told the news outlet, declaring officials are also "prioritizing national security controls and continuing our ability to restrict exports where human rights, illicit trafficking, and related issues may be of concern."
Firearms industry advocates say the new policy is something that has been in the making for years because of a grassroots outcry from small arm manufactures who employ some 190,000 people across all 50 states, the Times reported.
The policy shift began under President Barack Obama, whose senior aides reportedly agreed that State should not be so deeply involved in controlling exports of products already sold with limited regulation in U.S. stores, the outlet reported.
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