Welcome back to Gun Industry Insider, where we bring you the latest developments shaping the firearms industry. I’m your host, Ray Toofan, and today is April 22, 2025. In this episode, we'll explore the appointment of Robert Cekada as ATF Deputy Director, the DOJ's decision in the Taylor Taranto case involving a braced pistol, and Iowa's new law allowing 18-year-olds to own and carry handguns. These aren’t just headlines—they’re insights that could shape your next move. Let’s get started.

First, let’s talk about the recent appointment of Robert Cekada as the new ATF Deputy Director. This is important for the firearms industry, and it’s worth figuring out what it means for shop owners, reps, and gunsmiths.

So, who’s Robert Cekada? He’s got 30 years in law enforcement, including 20 with the ATF. He’s been a Special Agent and managed field divisions in Miami and Baltimore. Before that, he worked with the NYPD and a Florida police department. That’s a deep law enforcement resume, and it’s likely to influence how he handles his new job.

The NSSF has come out in favor of this pick, highlighting his experience and leadership. They’re optimistic it could lead to better teamwork between the ATF and the industry. For retailers and manufacturers, that might translate to fewer headaches with compliance and operations. The NSSF speaks for a lot of folks in this business, so their support matters.

Not everyone’s convinced, though. Some conservative voices are pointing to his regulatory enforcement history and warning it could mean tighter rules. That’s something to watch, as it might change how the ATF deals with us day-to-day.

It’s also interesting that groups like the NRA, GOA, and Second Amendment Foundation haven’t said much yet. Could be they’re waiting to see what he does, maybe they’re not too worried right now, or possibly that they don't think the appointment is going to have much of an effect on agency actions. Either way, it’s a signal for us in the industry to stay sharp and see what happens next.

This all comes after Marvin Richardson, the last Deputy Director, stepped down under pressure from the Trump administration. That shakeup hints at a new direction for the ATF, and Cekada’s role could be a big part of defining it.

For shop owners and gunsmiths, this could shift how the ATF runs inspections or enforces regulations. There might also be changes in compliance expectations too. Staying on top of this and being ready to adjust is going to be important.

So, Robert Cekada’s appointment is worth keeping an eye on. His law enforcement experience and the NSSF’s backing suggest some positive possibilities, but those regulatory concerns remind us to stay cautious. Being informed and flexible will be the name of the game as this plays out.

Next, let's talk about US vs Taylor Taranto, a case where the ATF claimed a weapon was both a pistol and a rifle at the same time. Back in 2023, Taylor Taranto got arrested in Washington, D.C., because he had a CZ Scorpion pistol with a stabilizing brace in his vehicle. The ATF looked at it and said that brace turned the pistol into an illegal short-barreled rifle, under the National Firearms Act. That’s a felony since an SBR has to be registered along with obtaining the tax stamp. 

Taranto hadn’t done any of that, so they hit him with federal charges. This all came from a rule the ATF put out in 2023 about pistol braces. They were trying to set some boundaries on when a braced pistol crosses the line into being an SBR, but the way they wrote it was so loose that pretty much any braced pistol could end up being classified as an SBR. That put a lot of gun owners in a tough spot, not knowing if they were suddenly breaking the law.

Before this rule, the ATF had been fine with pistol braces for many years. They were originally made to help disabled shooters handle pistols more comfortably, but then the ATF started saying that if you shouldered one, it could be considered an SBR. Their guidelines were all over the place—stuff like how heavy the gun was, what kind of brace it had, even how it was marketed. It was a mess for anyone trying to figure out what was legal. Shop owners had braced pistols sitting on their shelves, wondering if they’d need to deal with extra paperwork or if customers would just stop buying them altogether because of the uncertainty.

Then, in 2024, the courts stepped in. The Eighth Circuit said the rule was arbitrary and capricious, which is their way of saying it didn’t hold up logically. Another court threw the whole thing out because the ATF didn’t follow the right steps when they made it—like not giving people enough time to weigh in. After that, the ATF backed off enforcing it, especially once the Trump administration told them to take another look at it in early 2025.

Finally in April 2025, the Department of Justice decided to drop the SBR charge against Taranto. It makes sense—the rule they based it on was gone, so their case didn’t have much ground to stand on. Gun rights groups were all over it. Gun Owners of America posted on X that it was a win for them. The NRA and Second Amendment Foundation didn’t say much about Taranto specifically, but they’d been taking the ATF to court over this rule and coming out on top, so they were probably happy with how it turned out.

For people in the firearms business, this reinforces the current stance of the courts regarding braced pistols. Shop owners can keep selling braced pistols without worrying about the NFA rules kicking in right now. You can put them out there and let customers know they’re good to go. Gunsmiths can work on them too—putting braces on or tweaking them—without stressing about legal trouble. Manufacturer reps can tell retailers it’s safe to stock up, pointing to the court wins and the DOJ’s move as proof.

At this point, the ATF won't try to fight the court decisions or come up with a new rule that bypasses what the judges didn’t like, especially during this administration. Groups like the NSSF, NRA, GOA, and SAF are going to keep tracking it just in case some rogue officials continue to push the rule. It’s also worth talking to your customers about where things stand—let them know it’s okay now. For the industry, it’s a break from all the confusion.

Finally, let’s quickly go over Iowa’s new handgun law and what it means for the firearms industry, even though it’s just a state-level change. On April 18, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill dropping the minimum age to own and carry handguns from 21 to 18, effective July 1. Just for reference, the majority of states allow individuals at least 18  years old to own handguns, so Iowa is somewhat late to the party.

Now, 18 to 20-year-olds can legally possess and carry pistols, revolvers, and ammo in Iowa, just like they’ve been able to with rifles and shotguns. However, federal law still blocks FFLs from selling or transferring handguns directly to anyone under 21. So, these young adults have to get them through private sales, gifts, or other legal channels.

For shop owners in Iowa, including any state where under 21 year olds can own handguns, this doesn’t shift your sales practices—FFL rules still apply. But you might notice more 18 to 20-year-olds asking about legal ways to acquire handguns. Be ready to walk them through the state and federal regs clearly. Gunsmiths, which can legally take in handguns from this age group, could see more work from this group—repairs, tweaks, customizations—as they start carrying more. Manufacturer reps might want to keep an eye on this demographic shift; it could influence how you pitch to retailers down the line.

The Iowa Firearms Coalition pushed hard for this, arguing it fixes unfair limits on young adults’ Second Amendment rights. National players like the NRA haven’t weighed in specifically, but their track record suggests they’d back it. Critics are raising safety concerns—industry folks should stress safe handling and storage in every conversation with these new owners. There’s also a provision making it a misdemeanor to give a handgun to someone under 18, jumping to a felony for repeat offenses. That’s a reminder to keep compliance front and center. Iowa’s move could nudge other states to follow, especially with courts striking down age restrictions lately.

We’ve covered a lot today—the appointment of Robert Cekada as ATF Deputy Director, the DOJ’s decision in the Taylor Taranto case, and Iowa’s new handgun law for 18-year-olds. Got thoughts or topics you’d like us to look into? Email us at insider@gunindustryinsider.com or reach out on X at @GunInsider. Stay tuned for the next episode—we’ll bring you more updates that matter to your shop or sales calls. Thanks for listening. Until next time!