Biden's Decision to Withdraw ATF Nomination Applauded

Calling the nominee "clearly unqualified," the National Shooting Sports Foundation applauded President Joe Biden's withdrawal of David Chipman as his nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, was a leading critic of the nomination due to his views on gun control.

Here's a portion of NSSF's reaction to Biden's decision:

"Mr. Chipman is clearly unqualified to lead ATF due to his employment as a gun-control lobbyist for Everytown for Gun Safety and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. He had previously testified on Capitol Hill in favor of gun bans, gun registration and gun-control policies that were not in keeping with the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

"He also made denigrating remarks about the 8.4 million first-time gun buyers last year, calling into question his ability to fairly and evenly apply the law as written and firearm regulations.

"Chipman was later accused of making racially denigrating remarks, to which he has yet to answer. NSSF called on The White House or Chipman himself to release his personnel records from his 25 years as an ATF agent. Neither has done so."

In a statement on his decision, President Biden blamed political opponents: "Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress have made clear that they intend to use gun crime as a political talking point instead of taking serious steps to address it. That’s why they've moved in lockstep to block David Chipman's confirmation."

NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane said, "We believe strongly that ATF needs a Senate-confirmed director to lead the brave men and women of ATF. David Chipman is not that person."

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