Boebert, Burlison Introduce Bill to Abolish ATF, Citing Second Amendment Concerns

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) introduced legislation on Thursday to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), arguing that the agency infringes on Americans’ Second Amendment rights. The one-page bill, which has seven co-sponsors, seeks to eliminate the federal law enforcement agency responsible for regulating firearms, explosives, and other related crimes.

“I cannot imagine under any circumstance or administration where the ATF serves as an ally to the Second Amendment and law-abiding firearm owners across America,” Boebert said in a statement. “As co-chair of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, I’m eager to continue this effort with Rep. Burlison to defend our constitutional rights.”

The ATF, established in 1972, enforces federal laws related to firearms, explosives, arson, and alcohol and tobacco trafficking. It also investigates bombings, acts of terrorism, and violent crimes. Critics of the agency, including Boebert and Burlison, argue that its regulations overstep constitutional boundaries.

“The ATF is emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence,” Burlison said. “If this agency cannot uphold its duty to serve the people within the framework of the Constitution, it has no place in our government.”

The bill’s introduction comes amid ongoing debates over gun control in the U.S. According to a June 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 61% of Americans believe it is too easy to legally obtain a gun, while 30% say the current level of difficulty is about right. The Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms, remains a polarizing issue, particularly along party lines.

When asked how the ATF’s responsibilities would be redistributed, Boebert expressed confidence in the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative, which aims to streamline government operations. “Under President Trump and the DOGE initiative, we are going to see the most efficient government ever and eliminate the need for misguided and unconstitutional agencies like the ATF,” she said.

Burlison, in a previous interview with Fox News Digital, suggested that state-level law enforcement could handle many of the ATF’s duties. “There’s very few ATF officials,” he said, accusing the agency of “co-opting or commandeering [local] law enforcement to enforce laws” not passed by state legislatures.

The ATF has not publicly commented on the proposed legislation. However, spokesperson Kristina Mastropasqua previously stated, “ATF provides enormous benefits to the American public through all of its efforts fighting violent crime every day.”

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Bob Onder (R-Mo.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Keith Self (R-Texas), and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). Its future in the House remains uncertain, as it faces opposition from Democrats and some moderate Republicans.