Rep. Eric Burleson (R-Missouri) this week announced plans to introduce legislation to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“In January, I will be introducing the bill proposed by Matt Gaetz to abolish the ATF. Why? Because we are fighting for you,” Burleson said in a video posted to X He spoke at
Missouri Republican Party is Gaetz's co-sponsor “Repeal the ATF law” Last year, the federal government sought to remove the federal agency, citing concerns that the firearms rules amounted to “massive government overreach.”
Burleson, 48, claims the 52-year-old agency has trampled on Americans' right to bear arms.
“ATF is a disaster for the American people and their God-given Second Amendment rights. ATF must be abolished at all costs,” he wrote to X.
The ATF is under the Department of Justice and has the authority to regulate firearms and explosives, enforce federal criminal law, and create new gun-related regulations.
The agency faced criticism from gun rights advocates last year when it tried to use the National Firearms Act of 1934, the first federal law to impose restrictions on gun ownership, to introduce a rule banning pistol attachments. faced.
The ATF's ban on pistol braces was ultimately overturned by a federal court in Texas.
In an interview with fox news digitala member of the House Freedom Caucus suggested that states, not the ATF, should be responsible for enforcing gun laws, calling the ATF a “disaster agency.”
“There are very few ATF personnel,” Burlison said, accusing the agency of “bribing or recruiting.” [local] A law enforcement agency to enforce laws not approved by the state legislature.
In response to Burleson's criticism, an ATF spokesperson told FOX News Digital that the agency “provides significant benefits to the American people through all of our efforts in the daily fight against violent crime.”
