Under the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget by President Joe Biden, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) would see a significant increase in funding, amounting to nearly $700 million or roughly 50% more than the end of the Obama era fiscal year 2017 budget. The proposed budget for the ATF for fiscal year 2024 is $1.9 billion, which represents a 13.6% increase from the fiscal year 2023 budget. This budget increase is being proposed in conjunction with a series of gun control measures, including regulations for pistol stabilizers, rules for ghost guns, and a "zero tolerance" policy for gun dealers.
Yep. You read that right—almost TWO BILLION for the ATF.
That’s a 13.6% increase over the 2023 budget. ?
If passed, the ATF would have grown 35.7% LARGER during the Biden presidency & 50.9% LARGER since the Obama Administration. pic.twitter.com/Vj76evbc9u
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) March 9, 2023
The ATF, under the Biden administration, has introduced a series of stringent firearm regulations that have faced strong opposition from supporters of the Second Amendment. Following Biden's inauguration, he announced a "zero tolerance" policy for Federal Firearm License (FFL) dealers, resulting in an increase in license revocations. Additionally, the agency issued two final rules on the definitions of firearms, with one being halted by a federal judge. The second rule, which broadens the definition of "rifle" to include any weapon "intended to be fired from the shoulder," has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups supporting the Second Amendment.
Biden’s Budget Would Balloon ATF Funding To Nearly $2 Billion, Up 50% From Obama Admin https://t.co/evoE9m4xZX
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 16, 2023
The proposed budget increase for the ATF by the Biden administration is being viewed by some as a continuation of the President's efforts to curtail the rights of responsible gun owners. If approved, this increase in funding would enable the ATF to enhance its regulation of the firearms industry, establish gun trafficking task forces, enforce background checks, and implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Critics believe that this move is an attempt by the Biden administration to increase its influence over the Second Amendment and impose more restrictions on the lawful ownership of firearms.
Instead of boosting the ATF's funding and influence to almost $2 billion, Congress should consider reducing it to levels that existed before the Biden administration took office, or even lower. Furthermore, the ATF's jurisdiction should be restricted to crimes related to alcohol, tobacco, and explosives, and they should only be authorized to enforce firearm laws against violent offenders. The proposed budget increase for the ATF by the Biden administration is being viewed as a disrespect to law-abiding gun owners and should be turned down by Congress.