ATF Director Robert Cekada: Hunter, AR-15 Owner, Supporter of a Gun-Friendly Society

Robert Secada’s Journey with Firearms

Breitbart News recently attended the swearing-in ceremony for Robert Secada with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). After the event, he shared insights about his childhood experiences with hunting, his interest in AR-15s, and his views on the significance of armed citizens.

Secada’s parents emigrated from Yugoslavia, and his early exposure to guns came through his father, who took him on shooting outings and later on hunting trips in upstate New York.

His passion for target shooting sparked when he was just twelve. “I started with a Stevens single-barrel 20-gauge shotgun. My dad had a double-barrel shotgun, which I still cherish. We ventured out hunting rabbits and pheasants, but honestly, it was more about spending quality time with my dad in the woods. He taught me the importance of gun safety and how to clean a firearm—lessons I’ll always remember,” Secada reflected.

He expressed deep admiration for the legacy his father passed on to him regarding firearms.

Secada became a police officer in New York City in 1992, which intensified his interest in firearms. He noted how this experience broadened his appreciation for handguns and underscored the need for a society where citizens can defend themselves.

During his time as an officer, he encountered many of his father’s acquaintances—hunting enthusiasts alongside those who didn’t partake in the sport. They all shared a common concern: fear stemming from crime in New York City.

“Back when Mayor Dinkins was in office, crime was rampant. He was a good man, but there wasn’t a strong message about accountability for violent acts,” Secada said. Working in Harlem, he met many hardworking residents who wanted to uplift their community, yet they felt unsafe due to violence. He mentioned, “During that turbulent time, we never held responsible the lawful gun owners for the actions of those who committed crimes.”

He echoed the sentiment that many residents lived in fear, leading some to acquire firearms outside of legal means—not from a desire to break laws, but out of necessity for safety.

Secada’s interactions on the streets of Harlem solidified his belief in the necessity of gun ownership for personal protection.

After years on the force, he joined the ATF, where he has worked for 21 years. Throughout that time, he noticed significant changes within the agency. At one meeting, he recounted being chastised for owning an AR-15. “I just laughed,” he said, recalling the executive’s comments linking his ownership to concerns about mass shootings in schools.

He felt this critique was unfair, especially given his own long history of service. “I don’t want people to judge me based on the firearms I own or associate me with criminal behavior,” he affirmed.

When a new rule regarding pistol stabilizer braces emerged within ATF, Secada pushed back, arguing it diverted focus from the real issue—crime committed by individuals rather than the guns themselves. “We should not be demonizing law-abiding owners,” he remarked.

As our conversation wrapped up, we asked Secada what message he wanted to convey to gun owners. He replied, “I want them to know that the ATF supports them. We stand for the Constitution, focusing on the real threats—criminals, gang members, and those involved in organized crime.”