The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) delivered a blunt response to 14 House Democrats who called on President Donald Trump to remove Kash Patel as Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—telling them to “pound sand.”
The demand for Patel’s removal, outlined in a March 3 letter from congressional Democrats, claimed that gun control measures passed under the Biden administration, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, led to a significant drop in violent crime. However, CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb dismissed their argument, citing contradictory crime statistics and suggesting that Democrats fear Patel’s leadership may expose past agency abuses.
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Gottlieb pointed out that the FBI’s crime data was quietly revised last year, increasing the reported violent crime rate from a 1.7% decrease to a 4.5% increase from 2021 to 2022. House Oversight Chair James Comer launched a probe into this discrepancy in October, raising further questions about the Democrats’ narrative on crime reduction.
“Apparently, everybody who signed that letter slept through last year’s stunning revelation that the FBI’s initial report of a 1.7 percent decrease in violent crime was quietly adjusted to show a 4.5 percent increase,” Gottlieb said.
The CCRKBA also speculated that House Democrats fear Patel may investigate alleged abuses by the ATF during the Biden years.
“Maybe these Democrats are concerned that Patel will investigate possible abuses the agency allegedly committed during the Biden years,” Gottlieb added.
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Democrats have criticized Patel’s appointment, arguing that he lacks experience in crime prevention, responding to mass shootings, or tackling domestic terrorism. However, under Patel’s leadership at the FBI, the agency has successfully captured three of its ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives since Trump took office, CCRKBA noted.
“Capitol Hill Democrats are delighted to have an ATF which gets mixed up in colossal debacles like ‘Operation Fast and Furious,’” Gottlieb continued, referencing the failed Obama-era gun-running sting that allowed firearms to fall into cartel hands. He also blasted the agency’s past actions, such as revoking federal firearm licenses over minor paperwork errors.
“Yet, where have these Democrats been when their colleagues have championed legislation making it tougher for law-abiding citizens to exercise their full rights under the Second Amendment?” Gottlieb asked. “They were right there pushing for and cheering such infringements.”
Despite Democratic claims that Patel is unfit to lead the ATF, Gottlieb reminded critics that Patel has held multiple positions within the Department of Justice and is well-equipped for the role.
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“Democrats want someone at ATF who will ‘faithfully administer laws that keep Americans safe,’” Gottlieb said. “We expect Patel to do exactly that. We’re wondering if that’s what really concerns the people who signed the letter.”
With Trump’s administration standing by Patel, it remains to be seen whether Democrats will escalate their opposition or attempt legislative action to challenge his appointment. Meanwhile, gun rights advocates are preparing for further battles over firearms policy and the ATF’s role under new leadership.
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