Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Ted Budd (R-NC) led a group of Republican Representatives in demanding an explanation from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for intentionally closing small, family-owned gun stores across the country.
On June 23, 2021, the Biden Administration issued a "Fact Sheet" wherein they established a zero tolerance policy for "rogue" gun dealers who commit "willful" violations. The Administration has coupled this “zero tolerance policy” with an interpretation of the word "willful" to include minor paperwork errors – allowing the Biden Administration to close more than 500% more small and family-owned gun stores than in a typical year.
The oversight letter we led demands the Biden Administration immediately return to an interpretation of the word “willful” that corresponds with Congressional intent and the law. Furthermore we have demanded answers regarding:
- the legal justification for the changed interpretation of “willful”;
- all internal correspondence related to these changes; and,
- the full justification for each revoked gun store license.
“This blatant attempt to use the administrative state to infringe on the rights of citizens to responsibly purchase firearms is wrong and must be stopped. Thanks to Rep. Harshbarger for joining me in calling out the Biden administration’s executive overreach,” said Congressman Ted Budd.
Original source can be found here.
