Press Release
Posted:
Washington – This week, Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce Chair Mike Thompson (CA-04) led a letter with 80 other representatives over serious concerns about the elevation of Kash Patel to the position of Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In a letter to the President, the lawmakers expressed grave concern that someone without experience fighting crime, responding to mass shootings, or confronting domestic terrorism has been named as ATF’s Acting Director. The lawmakers urged the President to name a qualified director at ATF who will oversee our federal gun violence prevention laws and make our communities safer.
The lawmakers wrote: “ATF is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country. At a time when gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States, it is unconscionable that someone without experience fighting crime, responding to mass shootings or confronting domestic terrorism has been named as ATF’s Acting Director.
The continued: “Running ATF is a deadly serious job. Naming an unqualified partisan to oversee our federal gun violence prevention laws is a disservice to the American people and offensive to every American child who has grown up fearful of gun violence in their schools and communities. We urge you to name a qualified director at ATF who will faithfully administer laws that keep Americans safe.”
Following the 34 percent increase in gun homicides during the first Trump Administration, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act which has contributed to a historic reduction in gun deaths. Cracking down on gun traffickers, closing the ‘boyfriend loophole,’ funding the implementation of state extreme risk protection orders programs (red flag laws), expanding enhanced background checks for 18 to 20-year-olds, funding community violence intervention programs and expanding the number of firearm sales that need a background check is saving lives.
The full text of the letter can be found here and below.
Dear President Trump:
As members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, we write to you with grave concerns about the elevation of Kash Patel to the position of Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
As you are aware, ATF is the lead law enforcement agency responsible for addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country. At a time when gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in the United States, it is unconscionable that someone without experience fighting crime, responding to mass shootings or confronting domestic terrorism has been named as ATF’s Acting Director.
During your first Administration, gun homicides rose by 34 percent. Since the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in June 2022, we have seen an historic reduction in gun violence, violent crime hit an almost 50-year low, and we’ve seen the single largest homicide rate drop in recent history. Cracking down on gun traffickers and irresponsible gun dealers, expanding background checks for 18–20-year-olds, and expanding extreme risk protection orders is saving lives. These laws are overwhelmingly supported by Americans.
ATF plays a critical role in supporting State and local law enforcement by tracing guns used in crimes, helping with criminal investigations, and providing training on a variety of topics, such as detecting machinegun conversion devices. We need to ensure that this partnership with State and local law enforcement is strengthened and not undermined by weak leadership and partisan staffing purges.
Running ATF is a deadly serious job. Naming an unqualified partisan to oversee our federal gun violence prevention laws is a disservice to the American people and offensive to every American child who has grown up fearful of gun violence in their schools and communities. We urge you to name a qualified director at ATF who will faithfully administer laws that keep Americans safe.