An Agency Seeking Permanence: ATF Director Announces Resignation
The ATF just recently announced that current Director Steven Dettelbach has submitted his resignation to President Joe Biden, effective January 18, 2025. ATF Chief of Public Affairs Kristina Mastropasqua confirmed the news to the public, stating, “As is typical in a transition, and consistent with the memorandum sent to all presidential appointees on Dec. 19, Director Dettelbach has rendered his resignation to President Biden effective January 18, 2025. Leading the courageous and incredible men and women of ATF has been the greatest honor of his professional life.” We can presumably expect that the incoming administration will appoint either a new interim director or if the ATF gets its wish, a new permanent director.
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An Agency Seeking Permanence: ATF Director Announces Resignation
Steven Dettelbach, the second Senate-confirmed director, and 8th director in the agency’s history, walked the agency through regulations on pistol braces, home gun building, and oversight of licensed firearms dealers (like myself). We’ve covered a lot of the things the ATF has been doing over the last couple of years here at TFB but Mr. Dettlebach’s name rarely came up in any of those news pieces.
Presumably reflecting on his experiences in his resignation letter, he wrote, “It was the honor of my professional career to serve at ATF in your Administration. As you said when nominating me to be ATF Director, ‘The mission of this agency isn’t controversial. It’s public safety.’ I have now seen the brave and talented people at ATF live out your words for years. And we have realized results.”
He went on to emphasize the progress made during his tenure: “As I leave ATF, the country has experienced two years of historic decreases in the violent crime rates, including drops in firearms related crime. That progress did not occur by accident. The heroic, talented and hard-working people at ATF, along with our many partners, fought hard and risked everything to gain that ground. And Americans are better off for it.”
In his letter, Dettelbach also shared how important consistent leadership is to the agency: “I believe very strongly that the president needs to appoint a permanent director… I think having a permanent director gives ATF a stronger voice in everything related to the budget, and other things that come up.” He ended with a word of thanks: “Thank you for the privilege of calling the men and women of ATF my colleagues—and calling you my President.”
The ATF hasn’t announced who will take over in an interim capacity although rumors abound that people like venture capitalist Blake Masters and a few others are being considered for the new appointment. Dettelbach’s departure is likely going to be viewed by most gun owners as a positive since he was appointed to the office by a historically anti-gun administration. We’d obviously like to hear your thoughts and predictions about Mr. Dettelbach’s resignation, as well as who might replace him as the next interim director, or permanent director of the BATFE.