Washington, D.C. – Reports are coming in that President Donald Trump will appoint Kash Patel, the recently confirmed FBI Director, as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), marking a major shift in the agency’s leadership.
This move follows the firing of ATF General Counsel Pamela Hicks by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who cited concerns that the agency’s legal team was “targeting gun owners.”
A New Direction for the ATF
Patel, a longtime Trump loyalist and vocal critic of federal overreach, is expected to take office early next week. His appointment comes as the administration aims to overhaul the ATF’s priorities, shifting its focus away from firearm regulations and toward combating illegal immigration and transnational crime.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the ATF for what he describes as unconstitutional infringements on the Second Amendment. His 2024 campaign included promises to dismantle what he called the ATF’s “bureaucratic war on gun owners.” The agency has long been a target of Republican lawmakers, particularly after its controversial pistol brace ruling and aggressive enforcement of firearm regulations under the Biden administration.
Patel’s Stance on the Second Amendment
A staunch defender of gun rights, Patel has made clear his belief that the federal government has overstepped its constitutional limits regarding firearm regulations. During his confirmation hearings for FBI Director, he emphasized his commitment to ensuring law enforcement agencies do not infringe upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Gun rights organizations, including Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA), have welcomed Patel’s appointment. Tim Macy, chairman of GOA, called it a “massive win for gun owners across America.”
“For years, we’ve seen the ATF overreach its authority, regulating by executive fiat rather than respecting the Constitution,” said Erich Pratt, GOA’s senior vice president. “Kash Patel understands that the Second Amendment is non-negotiable, and we expect him to rein in the ATF’s unconstitutional actions.”
When’s the DOGE field trip to ATF headquarters, @ElonMusk? Asking for America’s over 100 million gun owners. pic.twitter.com/4sn4kjZGZG
— NRA (@NRA) February 20, 2025
A Battle Over Gun Rights
Opposition to Patel’s leadership is already mounting. Gun control advocacy groups, including Brady United, Everytown, and Giffords, have condemned his appointment, shrieking that he will weaken firearm safety regulations and undermine federal law enforcement efforts to curb gun violence.
“The confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI Director was already a dangerous move,” said Kris Brown, president of Brady United. “Now, placing him in charge of the ATF is a clear sign that the Trump administration is prioritizing gun lobby interests over public safety.”
Gun extremists back Kash Patel’s nomination for FBI Director because he’ll prioritize the gun lobby’s agenda and use his position to go after Trump’s adversaries.
Believe that if confirmed, he will. Text FBI to 644-33 to tell your senators to block his confirmation. pic.twitter.com/yaTonwcTlW
— Everytown (@Everytown) February 11, 2025
Patel’s roles as FBI Director and acting ATF Director place him at the helm of two of the country’s most influential law enforcement agencies. His leadership will likely shape federal gun policy for the foreseeable future, setting up a high-stakes battle between the administration and those advocating for stricter gun laws.
What’s Next?
The Trump administration has already signaled further changes at the ATF. Congressional Republicans have proposed cutting $188 million from the agency’s budget, a move that would significantly reduce its regulatory capabilities. Meanwhile, Attorney General Bondi is set to present a report to the White House outlining further steps to protect Second Amendment rights.
As Patel assumes control of the ATF, gun owners and advocates see this as a pivotal moment in rolling back what they view as decades of bureaucratic overreach. With the ATF now under the leadership of one of Trump’s most trusted allies, the agency’s role in firearm regulation is poised for a dramatic transformation.
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I don’t think we will ever see a 2ndAmd absolutest in a prominent national office, having someone who is pro gun is the next best thing.
It’s 4 years. Nothing done by this administration by appointment and executive order is safe from the next democrat elected. I would like to see the ATF buildings and equipment auctioned off to make it more difficult to reform it. But yeah, I am happy to see the 2A getting some positive attention.
Trump just named Dan Bongino as deputy director.
Kash is not doing anything particularly at the bidding of the firearms industry; he is really acting on behalf of firearms OWNERS
I Hope they start by Getting Rid of all the STUPID Nonsense Laws they have implemented such as Pistol Braces, SBRS ect . Mainly i would like to buy a Suppresor without Having to jump through all the Hoops and Pay them $200.00