The Biden Administration has made it clear: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is a weapon in its arsenal against lawful gun owners and federally licensed firearm retailers. Through the U.S. Department of Justice, the ATF has morphed from an enforcement agency into a law-making entity, issuing rule after rule that chips away at Americans’ Second Amendment rights. Unsurprisingly, this hasn’t sat well with pro-gun Republicans.
Now, with Republicans regaining control of the House, Senate, and the presidency under Donald Trump’s recent victory, there’s a fresh push to take aim at what many conservatives see as an out-of-control federal agency. Leading the charge is Missouri Rep. Eric Burleson, who has announced plans to reintroduce legislation to abolish the ATF entirely.
Abolishing the ATF: A Long-Awaited Goal
Rep. Burleson’s proposed bill isn’t a new idea. It mirrors last year’s “Abolish the ATF Act,” which sought to eliminate the agency on the grounds of “big government overreach.” While the 2023 bill failed to gain traction in a Democrat-controlled Congress, Republicans now see an opportunity to strike.
“In January, I will be filing the bill that Matt Gaetz sponsored to abolish the ATF,” Burleson said in a video posted on X. “Why? Because we’re fighting for you. The ATF has been a disaster for the American people and our God-given Second Amendment rights. It should absolutely be abolished.”
Last year’s legislation was straightforward: “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is hereby abolished.” Expect Burleson’s new bill to carry the same blunt message.
The ATF’s Troubled Track Record
The ATF’s actions during President Biden’s tenure have drawn widespread criticism from gun owners, advocacy groups, and Republican lawmakers alike. The agency has been accused of overstepping its authority with sweeping rule changes that effectively rewrite gun laws rather than enforce them.
One glaring example is the ATF’s rule redefining who is “engaged in the business” of selling firearms. This change imposed stricter requirements on private gun sales, sparking outrage among Second Amendment advocates who argue it unfairly targets hobbyists and occasional sellers.
The ATF’s actions haven’t gone unnoticed by Congress. In October, a House committee subpoenaed the ATF and the White House, demanding documents related to alleged collusion with anti-gun organizations. And in September, the House Judiciary Committee passed a resolution to overturn the ATF’s controversial rule on firearm sales.
Despite these efforts, the ATF remains unapologetic. “ATF provides enormous benefits to the American public through all of its efforts fighting violent crime every day,” spokesperson Kristina Mastropasqua said in a statement to Fox News.
Republican Lawmakers Rally
Burleson’s effort to dismantle the ATF has gained support from prominent Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Andy Biggs (AZ), Lauren Boebert (CO), Mike Collins (GA), Bob Good (VA), Paul Gosar (AZ), Thomas Massie (KY), Mary Miller (IL), Cory Mills (FL), and Barry Moore (AL).
These legislators argue that the ATF’s rulemaking under the Biden Administration has trampled on constitutional rights and created unnecessary obstacles for law-abiding citizens and gun retailers. With control of Congress and the presidency, they see this as the moment to take decisive action.
What’s at Stake?
The push to abolish the ATF raises fundamental questions about federal oversight and the balance of power. Supporters of the agency argue that its efforts are essential for combating violent crime and regulating firearms. Critics, however, contend that the ATF has become a tool of government overreach, targeting law-abiding citizens rather than criminals.
For gun owners, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The ATF’s rules, such as those redefining gun sales and regulating stabilizing braces, have created uncertainty and frustration in a community that values self-reliance and constitutional freedoms.
A New Chapter for Gun Rights?
With Burleson and his allies leading the charge, the debate over the ATF’s future is far from over. The proposed legislation faces hurdles, even in a Republican-controlled Congress, but it reflects a broader shift in the political landscape.
For years, gun owners have called for bold action to protect their rights. Now, with Trump back in the White House and a pro-gun majority in Congress, Republicans have an opportunity to deliver on those promises—or risk losing the trust of their base.
The fight to abolish the ATF is more than a political battle; it’s a litmus test for how far lawmakers are willing to go to defend the Second Amendment. And for millions of Americans, it’s a battle worth watching.
