Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) is leading an effort by 25 U.S. senators demanding the ATF explain its recent ruling on gun silencers and if they’re banning homemade suppressors.
Daines argues the Bureau’s recent actions infringe on the Second Amendment rights of American citizens.
In a letter to the ATF, the senators wrote, “These continued assaults of the Second Amendment threaten law-abiding Americans’ rights as they try to follow ATF guidance on making these parts. We request that the ATF provide us answers on why they are rejecting legal applications and denying law abiding citizens access to their Second Amendment right. The ATF was not established to interfere with a basic right afforded to every American.” To read the full letter Daines and his colleagues sent to ATF Acting Director Regina Richardson, click HERE. Senators Jim Inhofe (Okla.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Jim Risch (Idaho), Mike Lee (Utah), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), James Lankford (Okla.), John Boozman (Ark.), Roger Marshall (Kan.), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), John Hoeven (S.D.), Mike Braun (Ind.), Todd Young (Ind.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Thom Tillis (N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (W. Va.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Richard Burr (N.C.), John Cornyn (Texas), Rand Paul (Ky.), Ben Sasse (Neb.), John Thune (S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.), Tim Scott (S.C.), Deb Fischer (Neb.) and Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) joined Daines in sending the letter. Quotes of support: “The mass denial of ATF Form 1 applications is a direct infringement against the Second Amendment rights of hundreds – maybe thousands – of law-abiding Americans seeking to work within ATF’s own longstanding rules regarding the home manufacture of suppressors. We appreciate Senator Daines’ effort to make sure the government isn’t changing the rulebook to subvert the rights of applicants who are seeking approval in good faith.” – Jason Ouimet, Executive Director of NRA-ILA “As if the National Firearms Act wasn’t enough of an infringement, ATF’s denial of American’s right to manufacture NFA firearms—which is explicitly provided for under federal law—reveals the agency’s true intent is to restrict the Second Amendment rights of the People. GOA is thankful for the Senators demanding accountability from ATF for the illegal denial of gun owners’ Form 1 applications.” – Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America “The American Suppressor Association is extremely grateful to Senator Daines for his leadership in taking a stand against ATF’s secret rulemaking. Rather than punish those who are following the law, ATF should focus on the criminals who aren’t. Simply put, it’s time to insist that ATF stop treating the upstanding citizens it regulates like criminals. It’s time for ATF rulemaking to occur in the open. And it’s time to remove suppressors from the NFA so that law-abiding Americans can protect their hearing while exercising their Second Amendment rights without tax or fear of government retribution.” – Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association “The Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition (FRAC) sincerely appreciates Senator Daines for his initiative and steadfast leadership in this matter, and his unwavering resolve to stand with industry and the American People in demanding accountability, transparency, and fairness (A-T-F) from the ATF. The ATF’s recent abuses—to include the use of secretive rules and documents as a basis to arbitrarily deny NFA tax filings on a large scale—is a gross dereliction of fundamental regulatory ethics. FRAC is proud to stand with Senator Daines and his colleagues in demanding answers from ATF.”– Travis White, President and CEO of the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition
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