A.T.F. Braces for a Likely Rollback of Its Gun-Control Efforts

The New York Times ^ | Dec. 14, 2024 Updated 1:25 p.m. ET | Glenn Thrush

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Many federal agencies are bracing for the Trump era — but few are likely to face the powerful backlash that awaits the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which pursued an aggressive gun control agenda under President Biden.

The A.T.F., under its Biden-appointed director, Steven M. Dettelbach, has been more proactive on gun control than at any time in its recent history. It has pushed through rules to curb the proliferation of the untraceable homemade firearms known as ghost guns, clamped down on devices that make firearms deadlier and regulated unlicensed firearms sellers who operate at gun shows or online.

That earned praise from gun control groups and drew the enmity of Republicans, including President-elect Donald J. Trump. He is almost certain to pick a proponent of gun rights as director or simply leave the job vacant, as previous presidents have done, leaving the small and embattled bureau rudderless and vulnerable.

But the biggest threat, in the view of Mr. Dettelbach, may come from the Republican-controlled Congress, which is threatening to cut the budget for the federal agency. Its core function is fundamentally apolitical, joining with local enforcement to trace weapons used in crimes and dismantle trafficking rings by providing intelligence and technical assistance.

“People who don’t think that law enforcement, including A.T.F., has anything to do with driving down violent crime are just wrong — it didn’t happen by accident,” said Mr. Dettelbach, sitting in his sprawling, slightly disheveled office at the bureau’s Washington headquarters this month.

“What I am concerned about is that is that people will take their eye off the ball, that they’ll either get complacent or political, or some combination of those things,” said Mr. Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney in Ohio, whose low-key, Midwestern style belies his willingness to take actions that have elicited political attacks and legal...

[Billthedrill]

Dettelbach is good at precisely one thing - screwing a 50% increase in ATF funding out of a credulous Congress. He admits he knows little about firearms, and it shows. The NYT claiming credit on his behalf for the "reduction" in violent crime is hilarious given the increase in gun sales during his tenure. How is it possible to have more guns and less violent crime? It's easy - cook the numbers.

I'm rooting for Brandon Herrera for ATF director. Let's go Brandon!

[DPMD]

Re ghost guns and unregistered firearms: It’s very healthy for a government not to know if citizens have firearms or not. We saw the ATF for what it was at Waco, and the agency earned a forever abolition.

[Jonny7797]

ATF should be brushing off their resumes. Shut the entire department down.

[MtnClimber]

They won’t be able to just go SWAT and shoot people anymore. They should have thought about what public backlash could be.

[NorthMountain]

How is it possible to have more guns and less violent crime?

Armed citizens deter criminals?

Nah ...

Can't be.

That's crazy talk.

[rktman]

Just reread the 2nd amendment. Nope. No mention of atf. Pretty much still says shall NOT BE INFRINGED.

[bk1000]

Gun control only applies to those who obey laws in the first place.
They aren’t part of the problem. Govt knows this.

[doorgunner69]

New Yawk liberals (most everyone, IOW) recoils in horror at that thought of not attacking firearm owners.

[Billthedrill]

The editorial board of the NYT would gladly have all their molars plucked out with a pair of rusty pliers before admitting that.

[NorthMountain]

I volunteer!!!

I have a rusty pair of pliers perfect for the job.

[grobdriver]

The editorial board of the NYT would gladly have all their molars plucked out with a pair of rusty pliers before admitting that.

And I would be happy to help.

[Organic Panic]

Hopefully they are bracing for the entire agency to be eliminated. The murderous crooks in that agency need fired. It is hard to decide which agency has more bloodthirsty bullies. ATF or FBI.

[faithhopecharity]

Restore constitutional government and American citizens’ civil rights. Eliminate unconstitutional bureaus and any others that infringe on our liberties.

I’m fine either way offering the offending agencies’ employees jobs in LEGITIMATE areas of government where they can continue to receive the same pay and benefits until they retire. Then eliminate those positions and return the money to the taxpayers.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Its core function is fundamentally apolitical

Now that's funny right there.

[Qwapisking]

“The only restriction written into the Second Amendment is a restriction on legislating restrictions” L.Star

[Gaffer]

The A.T.F., under its Biden-appointed director, Steven M. Dettelbach, has been more proactive on gun control than at any time in its recent history. It has pushed through rules to curb the proliferation of the untraceable homemade firearms known as ghost guns, clamped down on devices that make firearms deadlier and regulated unlicensed firearms sellers who operate at gun shows or online.

IOW Dettlebach has done everything in his power he could to thwawrt the Second Amendment

[Mouton]

They need be rolled out of existence.

[usurper]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which pursued an aggressive gun control agenda under President Biden.

Therein lies the problem, ATF was not established to pursue a gun control agenda. No federal agencies are charged to pursue "agendas". They were established to enforce federal gun laws duly enacted by congress.

Pursuing a gun control agenda is 100% illegal under the Hatch Act. Trump needs to clear out the senor management and appoint people who will follow the law.

I would also like to see ATF go after state and local governments for violating the 2nd amendment. They should be leveling big fines for volitions and litigate on behalf of the citizens. Their first and foremost responsibility is the defense of the 2nd amendment not its undermining.

[doorgunner69]

“Gun control only applies to those who obey laws in the first place.”

I would say it appeals to those seeking absolute control over those resisting their agenda. That is why they want to apply it so enthusiastically.

The Soviet model, again. Disarm and destroy opposition.