Buckeye Reporter

Reps. Eric Burlison from Missouri and Lauren Boebert from Colorado have introduced a bill aimed at abolishing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The legislation, known as H.R. 221, was presented on January 7 and states simply: “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is hereby abolished.”

In a press release, Rep. Burlison criticized the ATF as "emblematic of the deep-state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence." He added that if the agency cannot operate within constitutional boundaries, it should not exist in government.

Rep. Boebert echoed these sentiments. As co-chair of the Congressional Second Amendment Caucus, she expressed her commitment to working with Rep. Burlison to protect constitutional rights. She stated that the ATF should be dismantled before it poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The bill has garnered support from seven other Republican representatives: Andy Biggs from Arizona, Mike Collins from Georgia, Bob Onder from Missouri, Andy Ogles from Tennessee, Mary Miller from Illinois, Keith Self from Texas, and Paul Gosar from Arizona.

Rep. Burlison also plans to introduce legislation targeting the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), which he argues imposes unfair taxes and restrictions on gun owners.

Burlison has been an advocate for Second Amendment rights throughout his political career. He has backed laws like "stand your ground," constitutional carry measures, and Missouri’s Second Amendment Preservation Act.

Originally introduced by former Florida representative Matt Gaetz last year with Burlison as its first cosponsor—now taken over by Boebert—the bill seeks to eliminate what Burlison describes as overlapping law enforcement functions between federal and state agencies concerning firearms regulations.

Burlison criticized local law enforcement's cooperation with ATF regulations during a radio interview on January 8. He cited past controversies involving the ATF as evidence of its ineffectiveness in protecting citizens while enforcing what he views as unnecessary laws.

Lee Williams is chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation's Investigative Journalism Project.