A call by Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., to dismantle the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) gained support Friday from more House Republicans.
On Jan. 7, Burlison announced H.R. 221 to abolish the ATF and thanked his original eight supporters, which included Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Rep Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Rep Mike Collins, R-Ga., and Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, among others.
“The ATF is emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence. If this agency cannot uphold its duty to serve the people within the framework of the Constitution, it has no place in our government,” Burlison said.
On Friday, Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., Rep., Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., Rep. Victoria Spartz R-Ind., Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., Rep. John McGuire, R-Va., and Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, joined Burlison bringing the total to now 22 representatives.
“Fulcher’s support for H.R. 221 makes him the first Idaho congressional delegate to support the abolition of the ATF, which gun owners in Idaho have grown frustrated with for decades now,” wrote the Idaho Dispatch regarding Fulcher’s support.
Burlison fired another shot Monday on X, posting: “The ATF uses your tax dollars to violate your constitutional rights. Does that sound like freedom to you?" He has been pushing for the elimination of bureau for several months, telling Newsmax in November the ATF is a “rogue agency” and has been “a disaster from the beginning.”
During the 2024 presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly called to fire former ATF director Steve Dettelbach and to quickly reverse many of the Biden administration’s changes. Trump has hinted he may leave the director position vacant if Dettelbach didn’t resign, which he did last week.
“I believe very strongly that the president needs to appoint a permanent director,” Dettelbach said in December. “Republicans control everything at the moment, and their inclination has been to cut. I think having a permanent director gives ATF a stronger voice in everything related to the budget, and other things that come up.”
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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