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The ATF found itself under intense scrutiny during two recent Congressional hearings.
The House Judiciary Committee and the Weaponization Subcommittee both questioned the agency about a controversial raid and new regulations.
Deadly Pre-Dawn Raid on Malinowski
In the first hearing, the Weaponization Subcommittee delved into the deadly ATF raid on Bryan Malinowski, the director of Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.
ATF agents shot and killed Malinowski during a no-knock raid at his home in March. The raid, conducted without body cameras, raised serious questions.
Malinowski, a firearm collector with no criminal record, was accused of selling firearms without a license. This incident occurred before the ATF’s new “Engaged in the Business” rule took effect.
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Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) criticized the ATF for not following DOJ policy on no-knock warrants. He noted that agents ignored opportunities to serve the warrant when Malinowski was not home. This decision, Jordan argued, increased the risks involved.
“The highest-paid official in the municipal government of Little Rock, Arkansas, making $260,000 running the airport. No criminal background, history, nothing and he’s dead at a pre-dawn raid when it sure looks like you could have served this search warrant when he was not there, but you chose not to,” Jordan said.
Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) questioned the necessity of such a forceful raid for a non-violent crime.
He argued that Malinowski’s alleged offense did not warrant the aggressive tactics used by the ATF. Other committee members echoed concerns about the raid’s execution and the lack of body camera footage.
‘Engaged In The Business’ Rule
The second hearing saw ATF Director Steve Dettelbach testifying before the Judiciary Committee. Dettelbach faced tough questions about the raid and the ATF’s new regulations.
He defended the agency, citing budget cuts as a reason for the lack of body cameras. However, Representative Troy Nehls (R-TX) challenged this explanation, highlighting the agency’s significant billion-dollar budget.
The hearings also addressed the ATF’s “Engaged in the Business” rule, which is currently being litigated.
Dettelbach’s testimony contradicted President Biden’s previous statements that the rule aimed to achieve near-universal background checks. Dettelbach insisted that only Congress could mandate universal background checks.
Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) pressed Dettelbach for clarity on when a private gun seller needs a license. Dettelbach’s inability to provide straightforward answers highlighted the rule’s vagueness.
There’s little doubt that this ambiguity creates confusion for law-abiding gun owners.
Dettelbach also denied the existence of a “gun-show loophole,” contradicting years of anti-gun rhetoric. This admission undermines the anti-gun lobby’s long-running stance that gun shows were hotbeds for criminal activity.
The hearings revealed significant tensions between the ATF and Congress. Lawmakers criticized the agency for overstepping its authority and implementing vague rules that confuse the public. The scrutiny intensified calls to review and potentially roll back some of the ATF’s regs.
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Gun Owners of America (GOA) has been actively lobbying against the ATF’s new rule. GOA’s efforts have already resulted in legal challenges and increased pressure on the agency.
As the debate over gun regulations continues, these hearings have put the ATF’s actions and policies under a microscope. Lawmakers and gun-rights groups remain vigilant in holding the agency accountable for its practices.
But the question remains: Will the ATF change its ways?
The agency faces a critical juncture. If it does not address the concerns raised by Congress and 2A groups, it risks further erosion of trust and increased legal challenges.
Biden’s ATF must decide whether to adopt more transparent and accountable practices or continue on its current path.
These hearings have shown that there is significant Congressional will to push for reforms, but whether the ATF will heed these calls remains to be seen. Do you think the ATF will change its ways?
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Now the ATF is killing people while leaving body cams at the office. ATF needs to be reigned in or closed. Our rights are disappearing swiftly, and the useful lemmings on the left don’t realize they’re throwing theirs away, too!
Dettlebach doesn’t know his a** from a hole in the ground. The whole ATF should be abolished.
The ATF needs disbanded. They are nothing but a rogue agency that murders Americans.
And it is highly possible the FBI could have had a similar outcome with the raid on President Trumps home in Fl. No excuse for this type of attack on la w a biding citizens.
Shooting someone in the head seconds after breaking down their door at 6 in the morning, closes the gun show loophole for that person permanently.
Nothing says “Fear Me” like being shot dead by federal agents and you could be next if you own a firearm
“These hearings have shown that there is significant Congressional will to push for reforms,” and yet all we will see is lip service and navel gazing. The only meaningful or lasting reform will be to abolish the agency. They have been violating the law (Fast & Furious, etc.) and murdering Americans and violating their rights for decades with zero consequences. Malinowski is just another meaningless statistic added to ATFs body count.
Malinowski, Waco, Ruby Ridge, Americans murdered by the US Govt. and no one is in jail because of it. Did they ever explain the 20MM holes in the roofs of those half buried school buses in Waco where the children were being hidden from the assault?
Indeed & agreed Clint!
But let us not forget Fast & Furious.
No, I doubt that the ATF nor any other Federal organization will willfully or honestly police itself.
Really these government institutions that make their own laws, and rules with penalties are laws is clearly unconstitutional.
Congress needs to start operation in a constitutional manner as does the DOJ.
I once read a line, by an author I cannot recall, that vague laws are the conerstone of all totaliterian states. This is very evident in the DOJ under AG Merrick Garland and the ATF branch under Director Steve Dettelbach.
the vague laws make it easier to change the rules as they go!