Rep. Gaetz Introduces a Bill To Abolish the ATF
Do you support the bill to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives?
What’s the story?
- Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced a bill to “abolish” the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
- Gaetz announced the bill in a press release on Wednesday, saying House Republicans had the ATF in their “crosshairs.” The bill will be referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
- The bill was introduced a few days after the ATF posted a “final rule” on firearm components, specifically on converting pistols into short-barreled rifles. According to the Department of Justice, the rule declared that converted pistols with barrels less than 16 inches would be subject to the National Firearms Act rules and regulations.
What are House Republicans saying?
- Gaetz and other Republicans asserted that the new rule unfairly impacts disabled gun owners and veterans who rely on firearm components known as stabilizing braces to be able to fire their weapons. The AFT has said the measure will not affect stabilizing braces “that are objectively designed and intended as a ‘stabilizing brace’ for use by individuals with disabilities.”
- Nevertheless, Gaetz said this action was the “final straw.” He told Fox News:
“The continued existence of the ATF is increasingly unwarranted based on the actions they’re taking to convert otherwise law-abiding people into felons…If [the bill] doesn’t work, we’re going to try defunding the ATF. If that doesn't work, we’re going to target the individual bureaucrats at the top of the ATF who have exceeded their authority in rulemaking.”
- Gaetz told Fox News that there is “broad support” among Republicans to challenge the ATF. While many gun rights groups have been calling for the abolishment of the ATF, this bill has not received any co-sponsors yet. He continued:
“We’re hearing this very loudly from our constituents, and the reason I filed this bill is, frankly, I think that the ATF should have to justify their existence at all.”
What does the ATF do?
- The organization's primary function is to protect the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and tobacco product diversions.
- The ATF’s responsibilities revolve around preventing federal offenses and investigating unlawful use, manufacturing, and possession of firearms and explosives. The alcohol and tobacco enforcement programs target criminal enterprises that traffic liquor or tobacco and prevent their impact on the U.S.’s alcohol and tobacco industry.
Do you support the bill to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives?
-Jamie Epstein
(Photo credit: iStock/mirza kadic)
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Matt Geatz proposed this. Is this his first sponsored legislation? When is he going to get indicted for paid-for sex with a minor and crossing state lines to to so? Does the trump have an issue with the ATF? Does one of his criminal buddies have an issue with the ATF?
Well Hell NO. This is a stupid, irresponsible and nakedly asinine proposal made by a stupid, irresponsible and nakedly asinine fool living off his Daddy's name. This trump is very similar to the trump and while the MAGA morons may like his moxie, he is a clear and present danger and there is absolutiely no need to, in any way, fill is bobble-headed ego by even paying attention to anything he says accept when he finally pleads guilty to being a pervert.
The party of no gets the ball rolling.
#ThingsThatWillDieInTheSenate
These federal agencies seem to exceed their authority making rules that may be unconstitutional.
In this case a brace that was designed for mainly HANDICAPPED people including DISABLED VETERANS that allows them to go on a range and enjoy their legal pistol firearms. So in this case they now are classified not as a pistol with a brace to help the HANDICAPPED PERSONS but as an illegal sawed off short barrel rifle.
This agency was here to protect us. My question would be who in the ATF determined that this device was a danger to the public. Since the invention of this product how many people have been murdered by people using this device. How many mass shootings have taken place using this HANDICAPPED DEVICE?
So who exactly are they protecting us from.
So we can compare apples to apples let's use a kitchen knife and ask the same questions. Can we assume that the figures would be much higher. Has the ATF banned kitchen knives? I am sure that if someone is holding a knife in a threatening manner it would look very dangerous and scary. Knives and machetes have both been used in mass killings even in public.
Oh yes, at a time when we have at least one mass shooting every day, we need to abolish the Federal agency that's responsible for regulating firearms.
Matt Gaetz is such a joke and a troll, and obviously cares nothing about safety in this country.
I'm sure there are ways this agency can be improved, but since it took forever to get a director after years of languishing with Congressional neglect, let's give the ATF time to get back on its feet, use its funding, and recommend actions to improve the way dangerous weapons and substances are used in our country.
The American people deserve safety.
Where is their bill to control what's happening at the boarder???
Now they are in charge, they are supposed to do things vs just complaining.
The BATFE was not authorized by the Constitution. This alphabet agency has shown its willingness to entrap and then murder citizens. The continue to break the law and are maintaining a firearms database.
"sort baarled rifles". come on man!
The ATF says "Congress makes federal gun laws; ATF enforces them." If the ATF does define pistol braces as making pistols into deadlier weapons that need to be registered without congressional approval first, then they need to feel the consequences.
I personally, would love it if the ATF accepted the rules as made by congress, and did not add rules that congress has not made; but if they are going to make rules then it is time for them to show us that they are necessary. And if the ATF can't prove that it is necessary than so be it!
Congress is the legislature that makes the federal laws, no agency has any right to make laws, or definitions of laws without congressional approval.
Gaetz is a lowlife who should NEVER, EVER have been given ANY kind of power. You can bet your bottom dollar that if Gaetz is "for" something, it ain't good.
It's an unnecessary agency that shouldn't exist.
Why don't you republicans do something for the American people. You do one thing investigating that's not why you were elected. You've been investigating Biden for five years put up or move on. Mace from SC why don't you investigate the crooked Trump family. Come on republicans do your dam job or get out.
I fully support dumping the ATF and getting rid of all employed with it. One of many agencies that need to go away - permantly.
The republicans want to da away with all law enforcement. So they can get away with all there crimes. Look at what Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan have done. Ask them.
He's a jack ass
So how much is Gaetz campaign getting from the NRA anyway?
We desperately need meaningful GUN REFORM in America!!
Abolish the NRA instead...
The ATF tracks more than just guns but also alcohol bootleg and contraband
I don't see a creditable argument for disbanding this part of law enforcement. If one does not like the laws that are another issue. I believe we need to tighten our gun laws and their enforcement not loosen them.
He’s an idiot, and should not be in a position to even introduce a bill.
No, are you kidding? Must be part of the same group that thinks gun control of any kind is an invasion of the 2nd amendment that was passed in 1791 when the West was still wild and there were no laws protecting private citizens from harm. Anyone can have a gun now if they have access to a 3D printer so how will that be monitored if at all?
Underage tobacco use should be monitored, not to mention upcoming marijuana use and alcohol, well the bars and bootleggers would like this.
Now if the duties and responsibilities were moved to the Department of Homeland Security and not abolished then I would have a different response.
The ATF is an antiquated institution in its current form.
A moron, speaking without a clue.
The republicans all need to be voted out of office they are doing all things that will allow them to take over the country. Vote them out.
Why do Politicains allow Mexico to flood America with Drugs and Human trafficking?
I dream of a day when thinking, competent, honorable individuals are more appealing to voters than... this.
This is ridiculous! OF COURSE MAtt Gaetz would say this! Alcohol, Tobbaco and Firewarms sounds like a fun weekend to the GOP!
First off, we have to devise ways to streamline our government! To tackle our national debt and possible default, we gotta cut wasteful spending. If the ATF is tasked with protecting "the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and tobacco product diversions", I dare ask what is our local law enforcement good for? There is a movement in our country to reform law enforcement! Here is an area to take this loss and fill the gap to "reimagine law enforcement"! You don't need redundancy when you have local law enforcement!
"The ATF’s responsibilities revolve around preventing federal offenses and investigating unlawful use, manufacturing, and possession of firearms and explosives. The alcohol and tobacco enforcement programs target criminal enterprises that traffic liquor or tobacco and prevent their impact on the U.S.’s alcohol and tobacco industry". I dare ask, what is our Federal Bureau of Investigation good for? Political attacks on We The People? Delegate the workload and phase out the ATF into local law enforcement! Get smart about it! Support the Bill!