Trump’s Pick for ATF Director Garners Gun Group Support

From the moment the role of ATF director began requiring Senate confirmation, the job has been a political headache. While Biden was able to get Steve Dettelbach through the process, it wasn’t his first choice at all. Trump had difficulty getting anyone confirmed during his first term as well.

In fact, the role sat vacant for years, and it’s vacant once again.

As noted on Wednesday, though, ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada has gotten the nod.

And gun rights groups are thrilled with the decision.

President Trump’s nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is being hailed Wednesday as the “first ever truly pro-Second Amendment” choice to lead the agency. 

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“In his role as Deputy Director, we have worked closely with Robert Cekada to ensure law-abiding gun owners have a seat at the table in shaping policy,” Knox Williams, president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association, said in a statement. 

“If confirmed, he would be the first ever truly pro-Second Amendment nominee to head the agency,” Williams added. “By nominating an ATF Director who understands our community and respects our constitutional rights, President Trump and his administration are further underscoring their commitment to standing up for the Second Amendment and gun owners. 

“We urge the Senate to confirm him without delay.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) said it was “encouraged” by Trump’s nomination of Cekada. 

“The men and women of ATF, and the firearm industry which they regulate, deserve a Senate-confirmed director to lead the bureau,” the pro-Second Amendment group said in a statement. “NSSF respects the experience, wisdom and confidence of Cekada’s colleagues to effectively lead the ATF.” 

Those two were far from the only examples.

“We recall when Mr. Cekada was named Deputy Director back in April that he received high praise from many in the firearms community,” noted CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb in a statement to Bearing Arms. “He brings considerable experience, along with what we believe are truly pro-Second Amendment views, which would be a delightful change from the previous administration.”

Honestly, the inclusion of someone pro-gun in the role would do wonders to put many of us at ease. The ATF has long had an antagonistic relationship with responsible gun owners, and it shouldn’t have had to be this way. The ATF shouldn’t be our enemy here, as they’re supposed to be focused on those who break the law.

Unfortunately, there’s a long history of the ATF crossing the line with law-abiding citizens who have guns, the most recent being Tate Adamiak’s trials and tribulations, and he’s gotten off easy compared to many, such as Randy Weaver’s son and wife.

Having someone who isn’t out to screw us all over would be a nice change of pace. 

However, let’s also understand that because he’s pro-gun, he’s likely to face fierce opposition from Senate Democrats who want a gun grabber in the role. Will it be enough to scuttle the nomination? That’s hard to tell. Cekada has solid law enforcement credentials to go along with his support of the Second Amendment, so that is bound to help.

It’ll be interesting to see. Let’s just hope there aren’t any skeletons in the closet, because there’s a good chance those will come out if there are.

Editor’s Note: President Trump and Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.

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