ATF should be abolished, progressives say

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) should be abolished, because of its inability to enforce gun laws, according to a lengthy report from the left-leaning Center for American Progress.

The FBI is better suited to crack down on gun violence, and should absorb the ATF’s agents, the report argues.

The ATF is “undercut by political limitations” — from “misguided congressional meddling” to the failure to confirm a permanent director — that make it difficult to enforce the nation’s gun laws, according to the report.

“Every day, thousands of dedicated agents and civilians working at ATF fight to keep guns out of the hands of criminals—many risk their lives,” said Arkadi Gerney, senior vice president at the Center for American Progress. “But too often, the leadership, management, and resources lag behind the dedication of the agents. With 33 people murdered with guns in the United States every day, it is time to think big about how best to fulfill ATF’s mission to enforce gun laws and regulate the gun industry.”

The ATF is facing a number of serious challenges that could make the agency ineffective, according to the report, which comes after Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced legislation that would abolish the agency.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, also said it is worth considering merging the ATF with the FBI.

“One of the most effective steps we can take to stop gun violence is to enforce the laws that are already on the books,” Thompson said. “The problem is that ATF is hamstrung in their efforts to enforce those laws. They lack the necessary funding, backdoor legislative tactics have undermined their ability to carry out their mission, and their authority in certain areas is murky at best. Because of this, it is important that we explore different options such as the possibility of moving the ATF to the FBI. This could allow us to better crack down on gun violence, enforce the laws and get dangerous people and weapons off the streets.”

The report, which comes as part of a two-year investigation, points to a “turf war” between the FBI and ATF that would be mitigated by consolidating the two agencies.

“The FBI is a politically strong agency with effective management and the resources it needs to support its work. It already shares jurisdiction with ATF on violent crime and explosives operations, and a merger would eliminate the turf war between the two agencies that has existed for decades,” the report says.

The ATF also struggles to enforce the nation’s gun laws with limited resources, the report noted.

The report also points to a “leadership vacuum” at the ATF.

Before former ATF Director Todd Jones was confirmed in August, 2013, the agency went seven years without a confirmed director. Jones left the agency earlier this year, setting up what appears to be another long period without a confirmed director to lead the agency, the report says.

“As we are now facing what will likely be another long period without a confirmed ATF director, this is an appropriate time to take a close look at the federal government’s approach to combating gun crime—particularly gun trafficking—and regulation of the gun industry,” said Chelsea Parsons, vice president of guns and crime policy at the Center for American Progress.