At a congressional confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), nominee Robert Cekada, the current ATF deputy director, expressed his support for lawful gun owners and dedication to stopping criminals.
While not directly addressing rolling back more Biden-era restrictions, like the pistol brace rule and redefining who is “engaged in the business” of selling firearms, Cekada did offer at least his verbal commitment to the Second Amendment.
“I can assure you with absolute certainty that ATF, first of all, under my watch as deputy director since April of last year, has 1,000 percent been focused on holding people accountable who have committed violent crimes,” Cekada said at the hearing. “We’re not here trying to burden unnecessarily the American citizen, who has the complete right to exercise their Second Amendment right to bear arms, and we will not be doing that in the future if I am so confirmed.”
Cekada’s endorsement of the Second Amendment and expressed commitment to the well-being of lawful gun owners were welcomed by the pro-gun group the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF).
“SAF is very encouraged by ATF Director nominee Robert Cekada saying that ATF’s mission is not to burden lawful gun owners, and it must respect the Second Amendment in its enforcement of federal gun laws,” SAF said in a Facebook post. “We are hopeful that he will lead ATF in a much better direction than we have seen in recent years, but will be ready to act if he does not.”
Another major pro-gun rights group, Gun Owners of America (GOA), took a more cynical view of the hearings. In a Facebook post, GOA wrote: “The ATF shouldn’t exist. But since it does, grab the popcorn and watch the confirmation hearing for its next would-be director.”
Surprisingly, even some lawmakers from the anti-gun side of the debate seemed happy to see Cekada as the nominee to head the ATF. One such, Sen. Corey Booker, D-New Jersey, seemed nearly giddy about Trump’s choice.
“Mr. Cekada, I’m actually really grateful you’re here and really relieved by your nomination,” Sen. Booker said. “Your years of dedicated service is something I have a lot of just respect for and gratitude for.”
Later in the hearing, Sen. Booker reiterated those thoughts.
“I just want to emphasize again my gratitude that you’re up for this position, but the importance of you maintaining your independence and not giving the gun industry or others who want to defund you any sway over the decisions you make,” Booker said.
Ultimately, after four years of the Biden Administration, it’s refreshing to hear an ATF director nominee express his support for the Second Amendment and lawful gun owners. However, we’ll have to wait and see what Cekada actually does as director before passing judgment on whether President Trump’s pick was good or bad for the right to keep and bear arms in the long run.
