Biden Calls on Another Anti-Gunner to Head ATF!

Seeming to have learned nothing from the defeats of his previous nominees, Joe Biden has tapped another anti-gun activist to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)!

Despite being eventually forced to withdraw his last nomination of anti-gunner David Chipman to head the ATF, Politico is reporting that now the Biden is “strongly considering” tapping Steve Dettelbach, a former federal attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, for the ATF leadership role. The problem is, according to the pro-gun group Gun Owners of America (GOA), Dettelbach might actually be even more “gun-grabber” and “gun-banner” than Chipman!

“Dettlebach is not simply a ‘former federal attorney,’” the organization said in an action alert. “In 2018, Dettlebach unsuccessfully ran for public office, promising a host of new gun-control initiatives if elected, including an ‘assault weapons ban, universal background registration checks, gun confiscation for misdemeanor crimes, gun confiscation for those dealing with mental health issues, ‘closing’ the made-up ‘over the Internet’ and fake ‘gun show loophole[s],’ and disarming teachers and keeping schools as soft targets.

According to GOA, Dettlebach used his position as a US Attorney to advocate for gun control for years, publishing op-eds such as, “Requiring universal background checks makes sense,” among others. In that editorial, Dettlebach and co-author Steven C. LaTourette lied about federal regulations that apply to gun shows and internet sales.

“[Universal background checks] would make people buying guns online or at gun shows follow the same rules as a hunter buying a rifle at a sporting-goods store,” they wrote. “That process is quick and easy. The dealer supplies the person’s name to a database maintained by the FBI. This check usually takes about five minutes and every year prevents about 80,000 people forbidden from having a gun from getting one.”

Of course, legal gun sales by licensed dealers online and at gun shows require the same background check as all other sales by dealers, no matter where they are located. I have personally bought several firearms online and at gun shows and have had to fill out the exact same background check form as I do at my local Bass Pro shop!

Dettlebach and LaTourette concluded their op-ed with the old tried-and-true tactic—we respect the Second Amendment, but….

“Requiring a background check of gun buyers would not compromise the Second Amendment, which we respect,” they wrote. “It would simply close a loophole and require everyone who wants to buy a firearm to be subjected to the same background check, making sure they’re not a felon, convicted spouse-beater, or judged by a court to be too mentally ill to possess a gun.”

Because of his severe anti-gun leanings, GOA says Dettlebach is not worthy of holding the highest position within the ATF. 

This writer agrees.