September 8, 2010

ATF Reform Hearing Set

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The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT), will be holding a hearing next Thursday September 14, on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Reform and Firearms Modernization Act  (S. 941).  This legislation strikes a fair balance between providing ATF with additional regulatory options – options other than license revocation — that encourage even greater compliance by federally licensed firearms retailers, while at the same time affording the licensees more rights and providing due process in the regulatory scheme.

The bi-partisan bill was introduced by Chairman Leahy. It would give ATF new powers to issue fines and suspend licenses of federal firearms licensees (as opposed to current regulations which only allow for license revocation). In prior years this bill has been co-sponsored and passed by a majority of the House of Representatives only to die in the U.S. Senate.  This is the first time a Senate version of the bill has been introduced.  NSSF supports this bill.  To learn more about the importance of passing S. 941 and to send a letter of support to your senators, please click here.

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