House Republicans are working on a plan to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Rep. Eric Burlison, a Republican from Missouri, is leading this effort with a new bill. Several Republican lawmakers, including Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Mike Collins (Ga.), Bob Onder (Mo.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Mary Miller (Ill.), Keith Self (Texas), and Paul Gosar (Ariz.), are co-sponsoring the proposal.
Rep. Burlison believes the ATF is unconstitutional and unnecessary, claiming its responsibilities are already covered by state and local regulations. “The Constitution clearly states that the federal government cannot restrict firearms. That responsibility lies with the states,” Burlison told Fox News Digital. He added that the ATF’s rules are burdensome and require local law enforcement to assist in enforcing them, taking officers away from community safety priorities.
Though Burlison has not directly spoken to Trump’s team about the bill, he is optimistic that many in Trump’s circle would support the idea. Vice President-elect JD Vance, who has previously called for abolishing the ATF, could potentially back the effort.
The ATF currently oversees federal firearm regulations, licensing, and investigations related to gun crimes and explosives. Critics, including Burlison, argue that the agency’s regulations are redundant and overreaching. However, supporters, including gun control advocates, defend the ATF’s role in reducing gun violence. ATF Director Steven Dettelbach recently warned that weakening the agency could lead to more violent crime, stating, “Reducing ATF’s role could result in unnecessary deaths.”
The ATF has faced criticism in the past for controversial incidents, such as the standoffs at Ruby Ridge and Waco, Texas. Despite its challenges, the agency has been part of law enforcement efforts since its modern version was established in 1972 under the Treasury Department. It was later moved to the Department of Justice in 2003, with expanded responsibilities for enforcing laws on firearms and explosives.
While Trump has previously criticized Dettelbach, calling him a “radical gun-grabber” and pledging to remove him from office, it remains unclear if Trump would fully support eliminating the ATF. For now, Burlison and his supporters continue pushing their bill, arguing that federal firearm oversight should be limited and left to the states.
