US halts export of most civilian firearms and ammunition for 90 days

Commerce department cites foreign policy interests and says it will review risk of firearms' diverted' to violate human rights'

The US has stopped issuing export licenses for most civilian firearms and ammunition for 90 days for all non-governmental users, the commerce department said on Friday, citing national security and foreign policy interests.

The commerce department did not provide further details for the pause, which also includes shotguns and optical sights, but said an urgent review will assess the risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities".