ATF Reform
The NSSF tells us about the bill:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009 (S. 941), introduced by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT.), and H.R. 2296, introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and Rep. Zack Space (D-OH), would strike a fair balance between providing ATF with additional regulatory powers while at the same time affording licensees more rights and due process in the regulatory process. The bill would allow ATF new powers to issue fines and suspend licenses of firearms retailers (as opposed to current regulations which only allow for license revocation). The legislation would also define what a “willful” violation is and provide for revocation hearings before an administrative law judge, rather than an ATF official.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I suppose an argument could be made that this is an improvement, but it does strike me as an irrelevant improvement since this agency shouldn’t even exist and the fact that it does means it is illegal.
December 11th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Well straightarrow, which is more likely to happen given the current political climate and the current occupant of the White House: A bill to implement modest BATFE reforms, or a bill to eliminate the BATFE altogether?
Baby steps, man. If you ask for everything overnight you’ll likely end up with nothing.
December 11th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Not saying it isn’t welcome, but I suspect the devil will be in the details. I further suspect that those details will place even more illegitimate power in the hands of the BATFE when it all shakes out, because of just the existing conditions you mentioned.
I don’t think we need to start a big brouhaha (not saying we have) over it. Time will give us the answer.
December 11th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
One caveat, I think that if the “reform” doesn’t further empower them, it will not pass. If passed it won’t be signed. Just a surmise on my part, based on observations of what has gone on before.