Susan Collins: Biden ATF nominee Chipman 'unusually divisive,' will vote against confirmation

Sen. Susan Collins announced Monday that she will oppose the confirmation of David Chipman, President Biden's nominee to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), a blow to Chipman's prospects for a potential bipartisan confirmation vote.

Collins added: "Although he has the right to express his views, I believe this history makes him an unusually divisive pick for this important position.  In particular, I am concerned that his confirmation would do significant damage to the collaborative working relationship that must exist between ATF, the firearms industry, sportsmen and women, and other law-abiding gun owners exercising their Second Amendment rights." Chipman was grilled late last month by Republican senators at his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, pressed Chipman over his "aggressive" and "reckless" opposition to a bill the Utah Republican introduced that would eliminate regulations to purchase gun silencers.