North Charlotte Today

Senator Thom Tillis, along with six Republican Senate colleagues, has urged the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to halt any further rulemaking. The request was made in a letter addressed to ATF Director Steve Dettelbach, emphasizing the need for the agency to support the transition to President-elect Donald J. Trump's administration.

The senators expressed their concerns by stating: “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.”

They further recommended that ATF should "suspend and refrain from issuing any further rulemaking," which includes not making formal recommendations to Congress or launching new regulatory initiatives. The senators argued that new policy initiatives at this stage could lead to instability during the transition period.

The letter clarified that this recommendation does not imply stopping ordinary regulatory support such as issuing federal firearm or explosives licenses. It emphasized: “During this transition period it remains imperative ATF remain focused on its primary mission of combatting violent crime, which we know it will.”

The full text of the letter is available for public viewing.