Bill Re-introduced To Eliminate ATF

Bill would transfer agency’s duties to FBI, DEA

The Outdoor Hub reports on a bill in Congress to eliminate the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin authored the bill, the ATF Elimination Act. It would shut the agency down and transfer its duties to other agencies, namely the FBI and DEA.

According to Sensenbrenner’s press release, the bill calls for an immediate hiring freeze at the agency. It would require the Department of Justice to eliminate and reduce duplicative functions and waste, and report to Congress with a detailed plan on how the transition will take place.

Under this bill, the DEA and FBI would submit to Congress a plan for winding down the affairs of the ATF after no more than 180 days. Field offices, along with other buildings and assets of the ATF, would be transferred to the FBI. It would have one year to report excess property to the General Services Administration.

Sensenbrenner has introduced this legislation before, according to a report from The Hill. Sensenbrenner photo