Pro-Organization Demands Answers From ATF Over Rejection of Petitions
Jose Nino
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The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) took issue with recent actions by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in how it rejected public comments connected to Docket Number ATF 2022R-17, “Definition of ‘Engaged in the Business’ as a Dealer in Firearms.” Georgia Congressman Andrew Clyde, in addition to 25 other members of Congress, brought the issue forward in a letter directed to ATF Director Dettelbach.
On November 30, 2023, NAGR tried to deliver roughly 40,000 petitions against Docket Number ATF 2022R-17. However, NAGR representatives were turned away from the ATF building and were not able to submit the petitions. This rejection not only violates the First Amendment rights of 40,000 American citizens but also brings about questions with respect to the ATF’s commitment to the public comment process, a key part of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and the E-Government Act of 2002.
“The ATF’s flagrant disregard for 40,000 Americans’ First Amendment freedoms is beyond the pale,” declared Clyde. “Time and time again, unelected anti-gun bureaucrats within the ATF shamelessly undermine, disrespect, and violate law-abiding citizens’ unalienable rights — representing a dangerous pattern of the agency’s contempt for the U.S. Constitution. If the ATF fails to accept these petitions from the National Association for Gun Rights’ members and supporters, Congress must investigate the agency’s unconstitutional tactics and abuse of power to ensure this malfeasance never happens again.”
NAGR President Dudley Brown reiterated these concerns, declaring, “We’ve gone through all the channels to deliver these petitions properly. We’ve sent numerous emails and called a dozen times, and yet the ATF has no answer. If our members continue to be silenced by these ATF bureaucrats, the ATF will be hearing from our lawyers.”
The letter from Congressman Clyde and his Congressional compatriots details the Constitutional concerns with respect to Docket Number ATF 2022R-17 and blames the ATF of malfeasance in purposely delaying the public comment process until after the deadline of December 7, 2023. The letter pushed for immediate action to fix the situation and guarantee that the 40,000 petitions from disgruntled NAGR members and supporters are actually considered.
“We urge you to immediately remedy this situation and provide an avenue to accept the approximately 40,000 petitions from National Association for Gun Rights members and supporters. We look forward to your swift action, especially considering accountability the limited time remaining in the open comment period for Docket Number ATF 2022R-17,” the letter stated.
The comment period for Docket Number ATF 2022R-17 ended on December 7th, 2023.
NAGR and Georgia Congressman Clyde demanded the ATF provided a fair chance for American citizens to assert their First Amendment rights as they participate in the rulemaking process.
A copy of the letter can be read here.
The ATF showed yet again its true colors. As a government bureaucracy, the ATF has an agenda to shroud its activities in secrecy.
It will continue to act in an unaccountable manner and not make itself transparent to the public as long as it exists.
At this point, gun owners need to consider trying to defund and subsequently abolish this wretched institution altogether.
The ATF’s very existence constitutes an existential threat to gun rights in the US.
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