Republican lawmakers push to abolish ‘unconstitutional’ ATF
House Republicans are making a bold move to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office later this month. Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., is spearheading the bill, which he plans to introduce on Tuesday. He has garnered support from several co-sponsors, including Reps. Lauren Boebert, Mike Collins, Bob Onder, Andy Biggs, Mary Miller, Keith Self, and Paul Gosar.
Burlison argues that the ATF is an “unconstitutional agency” and that its mission overlaps with existing state and local regulations. “The Constitution is clear that federal laws should not restrict firearms,” he told Fox News Digital. “This is a matter for the states, not the federal government.”
He further criticized the ATF’s enforcement capabilities, stating that the agency often relies on state and local law enforcement for assistance, diverting resources from more critical safety priorities. While Burlison has not directly engaged with members of Trump’s team on the bill, he believes there is potential support within the administration for this initiative.
One potential ally in the fight to abolish the ATF is Vice President-elect JD Vance, who has previously advocated for dismantling the agency and has pledged to pursue this goal once in the Senate.
The ATF, established in its modern form in 1972 under the Treasury Department before being transferred to the Department of Justice in 2003, is responsible for federal regulations on firearms, gun licenses, and law enforcement investigations. While supporters argue that the agency plays a vital role in combating gun violence, opponents like Burlison contend that its regulations are redundant and unnecessary.
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach warned that curtailing the agency could lead to more preventable deaths, emphasizing the crucial role law enforcement, including the ATF, plays in reducing violent crime. Despite facing criticism for its involvement in contentious incidents like the standoffs in Ruby Ridge and Waco, Texas, the ATF remains a contentious issue within the realm of gun control and law enforcement.
President Trump has previously expressed disdain for Dettelbach, labeling him a “radical gun-grabber” and vowing to dismiss him on his first day in office. While the fate of the ATF under the incoming administration remains uncertain, discussions around its potential abolition continue to stir debate and controversy.
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