Cruz, Cornyn, GOP Colleagues Send Letter Demanding Biden ATF to Cease Rulemaking and Focus on Trump Transition

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and several of their Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Director Steve Dettelbach calling on him to suspend and refrain from issuing any further rulemaking and support the incoming Trump administration.

In the letter, the Senators wrote, "We write to strongly encourage the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to firmly commit to and focus on preparing for the transition to the incoming Administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. The incoming Administration, including our next Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and ATF Director, must have the opportunity and ability to set ATF's priorities and future direction. ATF's ability to achieve its statutory mission of combatting violent crime depends on a smooth and effective transition."

"We recommend and urge that ATF suspend and refrain from issuing any further rulemaking, ATF Rulings, open letters to the industry or other publications or reports (including academic research reports) except reports generated in direct support of specific criminal investigations, from making formal recommendations to Congress, launching any new regulatory initiatives or changing any policies, or reorganizing the organizational structure of ATF."

"Any new policy initiatives undertaken at this late stage will only create instability and detract from the transition and ATF's focus on its primary mission."

Sens. Cruz and Cornyn were joined by Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) in sending the letter.

The full text of the letter here and below.

Dear Director Dettelbach:

We write to strongly encourage the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to firmly commit to and focus on preparing for the transition to the incoming Administration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. The incoming Administration, including our next Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and ATF Director, must have the opportunity and ability to set ATF's priorities and future direction. ATF's ability to achieve its statutory mission of combatting violent crime depends on a smooth and effective transition.

Toward that end, we recommend and urge that ATF suspend and refrain from issuing any further rulemaking, ATF Rulings, open letters to the industry or other publications or reports (including academic research reports) except reports generated in direct support of specific criminal investigations, from making formal recommendations to Congress, launching any new regulatory initiatives or changing any policies, or reorganizing the organizational structure of ATF. Any new policy initiatives undertaken at this late stage will only create instability and detract from the transition and ATF's focus on its primary mission. This recommendation should not be interpreted to suggest ATF not continue to provide ordinary regulatory support to the industry, such as issuing federal firearm or explosives licenses, import permits, or National Firearms Act forms.

During this transition period it remains imperative ATF remain focused on its primary mission of combatting violent crime, which we know it will.

We thank you for your service as ATF Director and look forward to receiving your continued cooperation during the transition.

Sincerely,

/X/

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