BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Biden administration has placed a 90-day pause on issuing export licenses for firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories to most overseas markets. Idaho Senators Crapo and Risch joined a list of 43 other Senators demanding to know why.

The announcement first came from the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce on Oct. 27. It says the department "is pausing for 90 days the issuance of new export licenses involving certain firearms, related components, and ammunition."

The announcement clarifies "the provision of new export assistance activities for such products to all non-governmental end users worldwide" except "those located in Ukraine, Israel, or a country in Country Group A:1 (Wassenaar Arrangement Participating States)."

The stated purpose of the pause is for an urgent review of "current firearm export control review policies" to ensure the risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights or fuel criminal activities are being appropriately mitigated.

Both the Ukrainian and Israeli governments relaxed laws and regulations around arming civilian populations in light of attacks suffered by both nations. Israel has begun arming civilians with weapons, including 4,000 rifles given to settlers in the West Bank and releasing some 400,000 permits for new people to qualify to carry firearms. Both are covered under the exception in the pause issued by the department.

A letter from the Senators to the Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, details a list of questions and fears about the pause. The letter explains the potential economic impact on the business interests of firearm exporters, including an estimated $89 million hit the industry expects to take over the 90-day pause window.

While many may not share the Senators' same concerns about the economic impact on gun manufacturers, a more pressing worry might be.

Any time the federal government issues a prohibition, a black market inevitably fills the demand. It appears outlawing something does not always reduce demand for it, and that is the group of senators concerned.

While the Department of Commerce says they want to ensure that weapons are not going to nefarious actors, fueling crime, or aiding in destabilizing regions around the world, it appears the senators are concerned this "pause" could have the unintended consequence of doing just that, as less-reputable sources spring forth to fill the demand created.

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