Abolish the ATF?: Rep. Burlison wants to eliminate ‘disaster agency’ he says has been violating 2nd Amendment

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., is making headlines with his plan to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Burlison criticized the ATF, calling it a “disaster agency” that has been violating the Second Amendment for decades. He believes that states should have the autonomy to handle these matters without federal interference.

Burlison is set to introduce a proposal that was previously put forward by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in 2023. The freshman congressman was a cosponsor of Gaetz’s measure, along with several other GOP representatives including Lauren Boebert, Paul Gosar, Mary Miller, Andy Biggs, and others.

In response to the news, Fox News Digital reached out to the ATF for comment. ATF spokesperson Kristina Mastropasqua defended the agency, stating that it provides significant benefits to the American public through its efforts to combat violent crime.

In addition to his stance on the ATF, Burlison also believes that the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be abolished. He argues that the EPA’s one-size-fits-all regulations are doing more harm than good.

Overall, Burlison’s push to abolish the ATF and other federal agencies reflects a broader conservative effort to limit the role of the federal government in various aspects of American life. As the debate continues, it will be interesting to see how Burlison’s proposal progresses and what impact it could have on gun rights and regulatory policy in the United States.