RIFLE, the ATF, Suppressors and Lead Ammo

Representative Tracey Mann (R-KS) is introducing legislation to put the ATF’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy toward Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL’s) in check.  The legislation is titled the Reining In Federal Licensing Enforcement (RIFLE) Act.

The RIFLE Act:

• ensures that the ATF gives FFLs a chance to comply before ATF moves to revoke a license,

• clearly defines and strengthens what constitutes a willful violation, imposing a presumption that there is no willful violation absent clear and convincing evidence,

• allows FFLs to review and appeal ATF determinations before an administrative law judge,

• reimburses FFLs for legal fees incurred while the ‘zero tolerance’ policy is in effect,

• automatically reinstates and approves licenses suspended, revoked, or denied while ATF’s zero tolerance policy is in effect,

• reimburses FFLs who were victims of the ATF’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy.

According to Mann’s office, in 2024 alone, ATF saw the highest levels of gun store license revocations in 20 years, which was the third consecutive year of increased license revocations under President Biden. The Biden Administration recently claimed it reversed its Zero Tolerance policy but it appears to remain fully in effect.

Representative Mann told Breitbart News, President Biden’s zero tolerance policy undermined the Second Amendment and trampled on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is one of the bill’s cosponsors.

But don’t get too excited…

Steve Dettelbach is out as the head of ATF and Deputy Director Marvin Richardson will return as the default head of the embattled agency.

Ammolandreports: “Richardson was the driving force behind the ATF’s war on pistol braces and privately manufactured firearms…Even though Richardson was only an acting assistant director at the time, pushing to go after braces was his idea.”

The pistol brace rule was defeated in multiple courts, but the ATF recently asserted that braced pistols still need to be registered with the NFA and that the owners still must pay $200 for a tax stamp. The ATF then reluctantly backed down under threat of further legal action.

Dettelbach is a prime example of the Swamp denizens that believe they – and not Congress – make the laws. 

President Trump cannot appoint a new ATF Director fast enough!

More about Silencers / Suppressors.

Last week, SCOPE reported that the Hearing Protection Act was being introduced in Congress; it would remove suppressors from the burdensome requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA).

The bill demands the destruction of all current NFA registration records of silencers/gun mufflers within 365 days of the Act’s enactment.

It’s reported that there are some complicated provisions that are intended to deal with the various state laws concerning suppressors.

In addition, it is unclear how the eight states that currently ban ownership of silencers / suppressors would fare under this bill. (NY is one of the eight states.) 

In addition, Illinois’ ban on ownership is being challenged in federal court in Illinois.

The text of the Hearing Protection Act has not been officially entered into the House of Representatives as of this writing, 

New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is also one of this bill’s cosponsors.

Back to lead ammo…

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Final Rule published in 2023 opened hunting and fishing opportunities on eight National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs),

but

banned the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle.

Representative Rob Wittman’s (R-Va.) introduced H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, which would prohibit USFWS, the Bureau of Land Management  and the U.S. Forest Service from banning the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle unless they have approval by the applicable state fish and wildlife department and proof that lead ammunition and tackle is primarily causing wildlife population decline.

Many argue that there is no scientific evidence that lead ammo is detrimental to wildlife.  This law would require scientific evidence to back up any lead ammo bans.