The Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steve Dettelbach, could not define the term “assault weapon” during a budget request hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday of last week.
When asked to define the term by Republican Texas Rep. Jake Ellzey, Dettelbach replied that he could do so in less than 15 seconds because he can not define what an ‘assault weapon’ is and that it would be up to Congress to define the term. He added that the ATF could provide technical assistance and that the agency had experts who could talk about the velocity of firearms and the damage they cause.
Dettelbach had expressed support for an assault weapons ban in Ohio during his unsuccessful 2018 campaign to become the state’s attorney general and noted that the Biden administration endorses instituting “an assault weapons ban.”
The confirmation of Dettelbach to lead the ATF was a controversial decision, with 15 state attorneys general opposing his appointment and arguing that he would “merely rubber stamp” Biden’s “partisan anti-gun platform.” The inability of Dettelbach to define the term “assault weapon” has further fueled criticisms of the Biden administration’s efforts to outlaw this vague class of weapons.
I am Not An Expert on Guns…
Dettelbach’s lack of expertise in firearms was called into question by Ellzey, who stated that he had extensive expertise in weaponry and self-defense weapons, citing his status as a military veteran and 20-year gun owner. ATF director Dettelbach acknowledged that he is not as well versed in firearms as the Congressman.
Critics of the ATF chief’s lack of expertise on guns argue that it indicates a broader problem of government employees being assigned roles that they are not qualified for.
They say this leads to ineffective policies and poor decision-making and ultimately undermines the functioning of government agencies.
The controversy around Dettelbach’s inability to define the term “assault weapon” comes amid renewed efforts by the Biden administration to ban such weapons. However, opponents of the gun ban argue that it would be ineffective in reducing crime and mental health violence and that it would infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
Dettelbach’s admittance that he lacks expertise in the primary item his agency is tasked with regulating underscores the need for government employees to possess the necessary expertise to perform their roles effectively. It also highlights the ongoing debate around the efficacy and constitutionality of a potential ‘assault weapons’ ban. Lastly, it shines a burning light on the hypocrisy of using emotionally loaded words with only one purpose: to promote a political agenda.
“Assault Weapon” is a fictional, made-up term that is applied to anything leftist authoritarians want to ban. The inept, unqualified director had previously called for such a ban, so he could very easily have explained what guns he wants to disarm the public of… but he was playing politics. The existence of the BATFE is offensive to the Constitution, as their very purpose is to infringe on the right of the People to keep and bear arms.
Well shucks, he hasn’t been told by his handlers what to say, because the handlers are stumped about how to work in the assault blunderbuss.
anything and everything can be a assault weapon
The head of an agency does not need to be an expert in the field since he is little more than an administrator. His most important skill should be efficiently running and maintaining an his organization. However, as head of a government agency with police powers, his two primary obligations should be to protect the liberties guaranteed to the citizens by the constitution and prosecuting those who abuse those liberties. Unfortunately, and obviously, Dettlebach’s primary goal is to persecute, harass and attack the citizenry and the Constitution while ignoring his other duties.
Probably can’t tell you what a woman is either.
You have to wonder how this man obtained his law degree.
I’ll tell you exactly what an assault weapon is:
An assault weapon is a firearm, that political leaders of a particular political persuasion, feel effectively arms citizens to enable a capability to successfully pose a threat, to the governments ability to successfully use force to exert their will upon the citizenry without regard.
Assault Weapon is the modern day equivalent of Saturday Night Special.
Baseball bat, metal pipe, 2×4 and bare hands are assault weapons.
I was only 13 at the time the GCA was passed. All I remember from that timeframe was a lot of neighbors were upset that they could no longer purchase their pistols, shotguns and hunting rifles out of the various catalogs and have them mailed to their homes. I also learned of a lot of different swear words that year. As far as the term, “Assault Weapon” or “Assault Rifle”? NEVER heard that term, ever, until the Communists started to disappear from the country’s landscape and the Democrat Party started publicizing loads of lies and untruths around the mid to… Read more »