Live Webinar: The Impact of New Commerce Restrictions on Firearms and Ammunition Exports

On May 30, 2024, the Biden Administration implemented new rules to greatly restrict firearm and ammunition exports and reexports under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The changes include creation of a new list of high risk countries subject to a presumption of denial for non-government end users, a reduction of the license validity period to one year for all countries, and new classifications for semi-automatic firearms. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has already revoked existing licenses and reduced the ability to use license exceptions thanks to a dizzying array of human rights-related controls and country policies. Firearm and ammunition exporters (and reexporters!) must know and understand these new rules or face possible penalties. We will review the changes in depth and go through practical exercises to see how the new rules may affect your business.

Objectives:

• Learn the new classifications for semiautomatic firearms.
• Learn the several different country policies affecting the ability to obtain a license or use a license exception (there are at least six!).
• Understand the application review process and best practices for preparing a license application.
• What to do if your license is denied or returned without action under the new rules.

This webinar will include PowerPoint slides and live video and commentary from Johanna Reeves. Each registrant, even if unable to attend live, will have access to the presentation, certificate of completion, speaker contact information for follow-up questions, and access to the webinar recording within 1-2 business days after the webinar airs. Webinar participants are invited to submit questions during the webinar and the final 30 minutes will be allotted to answering attendee questions.

Speaker Bio: Johanna Reeves is an attorney with more than 20 years’ experience. The founding partner of the Washington, DC law firm Reeves & Dola, LLP, Johanna dedicates her practice to advising U.S. companies on export and import matters arising under the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations, economic sanctions and embargoes administered by the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control, and the federal firearms and explosives laws. Full bio here.