At a congressional affirmation listening to for President Donald Trump’s choose to move the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), nominee Robert Cekada, the present ATF deputy director, expressed his help for lawful gun house owners and dedication to stopping criminals.
Whereas in a roundabout way addressing rolling again extra Biden-era restrictions, just like the pistol brace rule and redefining who’s “engaged within the enterprise” of promoting firearms, Cekada did supply a minimum of his verbal dedication to the Second Modification.
“I can guarantee you with absolute certainty that ATF, to begin with, underneath my watch as deputy director since April of final yr, has 1,000 % been targeted on holding folks accountable who’ve dedicated violent crimes,” Cekada stated on the listening to. “We’re not right here making an attempt to burden unnecessarily the American citizen, who has the entire proper to train their Second Modification proper to bear arms, and we won’t be doing that sooner or later if I’m so confirmed.”
Cekada’s endorsement of the Second Modification and expressed dedication to the well-being of lawful gun house owners had been welcomed by the pro-gun group the Second Modification Basis (SAF).
“SAF could be very inspired by ATF Director nominee Robert Cekada saying that ATF’s mission is to not burden lawful gun house owners, and it should respect the Second Modification in its enforcement of federal gun legal guidelines,” SAF stated in a Fb publish. “We’re hopeful that he’ll lead ATF in a a lot better path than we have now seen in recent times, however will likely be able to act if he doesn’t.”
One other main pro-gun rights group, Gun Homeowners of America (GOA), took a extra cynical view of the hearings. In a Fb publish, GOA wrote: “The ATF shouldn’t exist. However because it does, seize the popcorn and watch the affirmation listening to for its subsequent would-be director.”
Surprisingly, even some lawmakers from the anti-gun facet of the talk appeared glad to see Cekada because the nominee to move the ATF. One such, Sen. Corey Booker, D-New Jersey, appeared almost giddy about Trump’s selection.
“Mr. Cekada, I’m really actually grateful you’re right here and actually relieved by your nomination,” Sen. Booker stated. “Your years of devoted service is one thing I’ve plenty of simply respect for and gratitude for.”
Later within the listening to, Sen. Booker reiterated these ideas.
“I simply wish to emphasize once more my gratitude that you just’re up for this place, however the significance of you sustaining your independence and never giving the gun trade or others who wish to defund you any sway over the choices you make,” Booker stated.
Finally, after 4 years of the Biden Administration, it’s refreshing to listen to an ATF director nominee specific his help for the Second Modification and lawful gun house owners. Nevertheless, we’ll have to attend and see what Cekada really does as director earlier than passing judgment on whether or not President Trump’s choose was good or dangerous for the proper to maintain and bear arms in the long term.
