House Republicans oppose Biden ATF nominee, say he would threaten gun ownership

Dozens of House Republicans have signed on to a letter to the Senate urging members to block the confirmation of President Biden’s choice to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — saying his confirmation would “jeopardize the constitutional right of every legal firearm owner in America.”

Biden appointed David Chipman, a retired 25-year veteran of the ATF and a senior policy adviser at gun control group Giffords, to head up the federal agency. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and 68 other House Republicans penned a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to oppose Chipman’s nomination.