The U.S. Concealed Carry Association Responds to President Biden’s ATF Nomination and Ineffective Anti-Gun Agenda

The Administration Continues Down the Wrong Path Towards More Failed Gun Control Policies That do Little to Prevent Crime, Protect Families

West Bend, WI – The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), which is one of the fastest growing organizations in the country advocating for responsibly-armed Americans, released the following statement after President Biden unveiled a new regulation aimed at so-called “ghost guns” and nominated Steve Dettelbach as the next director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF):

“It is deeply troubling to see President Biden once again nominate someone with an anti-gun record to serve as the new ATF Director.  This, along with the Administration’s proposals with respect to so-called ‘ghost guns’ are just the latest evidence that the Biden Administration is more focused on restricting Americans’ God-given right to self-protection than targeting criminals and reducing violent crime.  Nothing that the President is proposing today will make Americans safer in the face of skyrocketing crime because criminals by definition do not abide by the law.  It’s disappointing that the President is doubling down on ineffective policies instead of supporting law-abiding Americans who simply want to protect themselves and their families,” stated Tim Schmidt, president and founder, the U.S. Concealed Carry Association.

President Biden’s previous choice for ATF Director, David Chipman, was withdrawn seven months ago after receiving major criticism from Senate Republicans and some moderate Democrats. The USCCA was  outspoken in their opposition, noting how Chipman’s leadership could lead to further restriction of Americans’ inalienable right to self-defense. As the last two years saw record numbers of first-time gun owners, it is more important than ever for leaders to stand up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

“We believe the President and Congress should turn their attention to the real threat facing our communities: the explosion of violent crime and increasingly emboldened criminals.  We challenge this Administration to start enforcing the laws we already have instead of creating new regulations that cripple law-abiding gun owners.  The USCCA will continue to stand with and advocate for policies that empower more responsibly-armed Americans to be their family’s first line of defense, such as national concealed carry reciprocity,” concluded Schmidt.

As record numbers of Americans are awakened to their Second Amendment right, the USCCA has seen a simultaneous increase in demand for firearm safety, education and training courses, reaching over 625,000 members and more than 10,000 instructors across the country in the last year alone.

To learn more about the USCCA, visit their website here. To understand more about what the term “ghost gun” means, check out the USCCA’s blog post.

To schedule an interview with USCCA President Tim Schmidt please contact Keeley Briscoe at  [email protected]

About the USCCA.  The US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is an association of responsible, armed Americans whose members get exceptional self-defense education, lifesaving training, and self-defense liability insurance, preparing them for the before, during and after of a lawful act of self-defense.  The USCCA is the largest, fastest-growing self-defense association dedicated to responsible gun owners.”