Kash Patel Takes Over ATF As Trump Admin Targets Anti-Gun Bureaucrats

FBI Director Kash Patel was reportedly sworn in as the acting chief of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Monday, signaling a new era for the embattled agency. Patel’s appointment is the latest move by the Trump administration to root out anti-gun bureaucrats and restore Second Amendment protections for law-abiding Americans.

The shake-up at the ATF comes just days after Attorney General Pam Bondi fired ATF chief counsel Pamela Hicks, citing her role in targeting gun owners under the Biden administration. “These people were targeting gun owners. Not going to happen under this administration,” Bondi declared, sending a clear message that overreach against lawful firearm ownership will not be tolerated.

The ATF became a focal point of controversy during the Biden administration for pushing regulations that unfairly targeted responsible gun owners. In March 2023, the Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance exposed how the ATF reversed guidance that previously protected gun owners.

The agency’s new final rule under Biden essentially expanded the definition of a firearms dealer, potentially subjecting ordinary Americans to felony charges and steep fines for everyday transactions. This included even one-time sales of firearms between friends or family members, if the sale involved any intent to profit.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) highlighted the absurdity of the rule during a committee hearing:

• Unfair Targeting of Law-Abiding Citizens: Perry noted how the rule punished responsible gun owners while violent criminals who obtained guns illegally faced no such scrutiny.

• Common Sense Questions: When asked if criminals typically go through legal channels to obtain firearms, attorney Matthew Larosiere confirmed, “Certainly not in my experience.”

• Criminals Avoid Permits: Larosiere further stated that it would be “odd” for criminals to apply for permits, exposing the rule’s ineffectiveness in curbing actual gun crime.

In May 2024, over 20 states filed a lawsuit against the Biden Department of Justice and the ATF, accusing them of overstepping legal boundaries by redefining the requirements for becoming a federal firearms licensee. The Final Rule issued by the ATF aimed to expand federal control over firearms transactions, even in innocent sales between family members or friends.

“Until now, only those who repetitively purchased and sold firearms as a regular course of business had to become a licensee,” the lawsuit stated. The new rule, however, would classify anyone selling a single firearm with the intent to profit as a dealer, creating a legal minefield for responsible gun owners.

Patel’s appointment as acting ATF chief is expected to bring much-needed reform. Known for his tough stance on government overreach, Patel is likely to prioritize:

• Restoring Second Amendment Rights: Rolling back burdensome regulations imposed under Biden.

• Targeting Real Criminals: Refocusing the ATF on fighting illegal gun trafficking and violent crime, not harassing lawful gun owners.

• Ensuring Transparency: Working closely with Attorney General Bondi to root out anti-gun activists within the agency and promote a culture of fairness.

This leadership change marks a pivotal moment for gun rights advocates. The Trump administration's stance is clear: law-abiding Americans who exercise their constitutional rights will be protected, while criminals and Anti-Second Amendment radicals will be held accountable.

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