Staff Reports
It seems lawmakers in Congress have decided to take the chainsaw to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, better known as the ATF. Republican Reps. Eric Burlison of Missouri and Lauren Boebert of Colorado have introduced legislation that would not only abolish this notorious agency but also tackle the 1934 National Firearms Act, which laid the groundwork for much of today’s firearms regulation. It’s about time someone stepped up to hold the federal government accountable for its overreach, particularly when it comes to gun rights.
Burlison has made it clear that if the ATF can’t uphold the Constitution, it has no business hanging around in the federal structure. The agency has garnered a reputation as a veritable rogue squad, targeting law-abiding citizens rather than doing anything substantively useful. Meanwhile, Boebert highlighted a striking reality: the ATF has consistently failed to be an ally of the Second Amendment, leaving many to wonder why it hasn’t already been shown the door.
Congress Looking at Huge Change to Machine-Gun Law – Gun-Grabbers' Worst Nightmare: Pro-Second Amendment lawmakers aren’t wasting any time in moving forward under the Trump presidency. https://t.co/wKNurdJJ4x pic.twitter.com/yWtgzeAkrD
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) January 8, 2025
On social media, these lawmakers aren’t just talking shop; they are amplifying their calls to action. Burlison has addressed the “deep state” aspect of the ATF, pointing out that unelected officials seem to take pleasure in making life miserable for everyday gun owners. Although their proposed Abolish the ATF Act may sound like a radical move, the average American understands that freeing the country from unnecessary government agencies is as American as apple pie, especially when those agencies are overstepping their bounds.
As for the 1934 National Firearms Act, one may ask how we got to a place where a $200 tax and registration for specific firearms could come back to haunt us. A quick history lesson reveals that this law has faced numerous challenges and certainly isn’t a fan favorite among conservative gun owners. The fact that this law remains on the books, coupled with subsequent regulations like the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act of 1986, has led to a sticky web of federal control that shouldn’t exist in a free society.
The real kicker? While the federal government wields a monopoly on violent enforcement, citizens are left to wonder why they can’t possess what is rightfully theirs under the Second Amendment. The time for idle complaints is over. Lawmakers must be willing to take bold steps, not just to abolish the ATF but also to tear down the antiquated laws like the NFA that enable this egregious governmental overreach. What Republican Congress is willing to tackle next in this battle for gun rights remains to be seen, but the push to dismantle the ATF is a pretty entertaining place to start.
