John, 

We knew that the Trump Administration's effort to gut the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (ATF) would have devastating implications, and we are already seeing them play out.

The Bureau’s fight against rogue gun dealers is essentially at a standstill. Operating with fewer staff and more restrictions on their authority, the ATF is on pace for a 90% decrease in license revocations from last year. Across the country, rogue firearms dealers are selling deadly weapons without conducting the mandated background checks that save lives – and are facing zero consequences.

Further, Attorney General Pam Bondi's profoundly irresponsible decision to reassign 80% of the ATF’s special agents to immigration cases is leaving gun traffickers to operate freely, putting all of us at risk.

The American people deserve to know how the Trump administration plans to keep our communities safe from gun dealers who constantly put profits over human lives. That's why we're demanding answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi following these devastating cuts and reassignments at ATF. Are you with us? Sign our letter demanding that Attorney General Bondi answer to the American people — not the gun industry! >>

This staggering attack on ATF’s core missions will have dangerous effects on communities, John. It’s important to understand that the ATF isn’t just working on a federal level; it maintains crucial partnerships with local law enforcement and provides resources to help stop the flow of illegal guns. Trump has made it clear that he’ll stop at no end to push his political agenda and manipulate the ATF to his whim. But the ATF cannot be a political tool: A crippled ATF will mean a rise in gun crime and more lives on the line. 

John, I need you to understand – if bad gun dealers don’t fear consequences, bad actors will get their hands on guns. The economy for illegal firearms will boom, and so will gun deaths. We’ll question our safety everywhere we go: Playgrounds, restaurants, schools. Our public spaces will no longer feel safe. Our children will be at risk.

We will be defenseless against gun crime thanks to the Trump Administration's attacks on the only governmental agency enforcing gun laws.

During the Biden Administration, the ATF contributed to the historic reductions in gun violence. The Bureau needs stronger funding to continue its progress; instead, we’re fighting to prevent the largest funding cut in the ATF’s history from crossing the president's desk. John, stripping the ATF’s resources will be debilitating and deadly. Sign our letter to the Attorney General to oppose these deadly actions before it’s too late. >>

Thank you for taking bold action today.

Christian Heyne

Gun Violence Survivor

Chief Officer, Policy & Programs