Republican lawmakers ask Commerce Dept to explain firearm export pause

More than 80 U.S. House lawmakers asked the Commerce Department on Tuesday to answer questions on its Oct. 27 decision to temporarily stop issuing export licenses for most civilian firearms and ammunition for non-governmental users.

Republican Representative Mark Green, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, led the letter that demands answers from 88 lawmakers on "the unprecedented and reckless restriction on civilian firearm exports."

The Commerce Department's 90-day pause has some exemptions including export licenses for Ukraine and Israel, as well as some other close allies.