Boebert, Burlison introduce bill to abolish the ATF

Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) introduced a bill to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), they announced Tuesday.

The bill, titled Abolish the ATF, aims “to safeguard Americans’ Second Amendment rights” and to “protect law-abiding gun owners from the relentless bureaucratic overreach” of the ATF, according to a press release from Burlison’s office.

Burlison said the ATF is “emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence.”

“If this agency cannot uphold its duty to serve the people within the framework of the Constitution,” Burlison continued, in his statement, “it has no place in our government.”

Boebert similarly decried the ATF as a detractor to Americans’ gun rights.

“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 should be abolished before they eventually abolish our Second Amendment,” Boebert added.

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.).