DOJ Proposes Merging ATF with DEA in Major Shakeup: What It Means for Gun Owners

Reuters.com reports that, in line with President Trump’s plan to streamline the federal government, the Justice Department is weighing a historic merger between two of its most controversial agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Outlined in a memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the proposal would consolidate the agencies responsible for enforcing federal gun and drug laws under one roof.

The stated goal? “Efficiency in resources, case deconfliction, and regulatory efforts.” But for America’s gun owners, the implications run far deeper.

A Long-Awaited Overhaul

For decades, the ATF has stood at the center of controversy for its shifting interpretations of federal gun laws, overreaching enforcement tactics, and regulatory flip-flops that have left law-abiding gun owners and dealers in a constant state of uncertainty. Under the Biden administration, those tensions escalated—especially with the ATF’s aggressive stance on pistol braces and its use of “zero tolerance” policies to shut down federally licensed gun dealers over paperwork errors.

That era appears to be ending. President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have made it clear they intend to “clean house.” The firing of former ATF Chief Counsel Pamela Hicks in February was the first major domino to fall. Now, the proposed DEA-ATF merger could effectively gut the agency that gun rights advocates have long considered a rogue enforcer of anti-Second Amendment policies.

Why Merge the ATF and DEA?

Combining the ATF and DEA is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to reduce federal bureaucracy. According to sources familiar with the memo, the Justice Department is also considering cuts across several divisions, including those handling environmental, antitrust, foreign corruption, and public integrity cases—many of which were weaponized during previous administrations.

The merger would likely require congressional approval, but as of now, the DOJ is circulating the plan internally and seeking feedback. The move reflects a shift in priorities under Trump’s leadership: away from politicized enforcement and toward a refocus on core law-and-order missions.

Gun Control Advocates in Meltdown

Unsurprisingly, the usual gun control groups are panicking. Giffords, the anti-gun advocacy group founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, warned that cutting ATF resources amounts to “defunding the police,” something they previously had no issue with. Stacey Young, who leads a Justice Department employee advocacy group, claimed the merger would “weaken law enforcement’s ability to combat gun violence.”

But Second Amendment supporters see it differently. To them, this isn’t about defunding law enforcement—it’s about defunding bureaucracy and eliminating agencies that have weaponized their power against the very people they’re supposed to serve.

Reform Over Abolition

While some activists have called for abolishing the ATF entirely, legal experts argue that such a move could backfire. Federal gun laws would still exist, and enforcement duties would simply shift to larger, better-funded agencies like the FBI. Instead, reforming the ATF from within—or folding it into the DEA where it can no longer operate independently—is seen by many as the more strategic path.

As George Mason law professor Robert Leider put it, “Crippling the ATF doesn’t respond to the criticisms. You have to go in and fix the problems.”

A New Era for Federal Gun Regulation?

With a Trump-appointed ATF director yet to be named and the agency already under temporary leadership from FBI Director Kash Patel, the future of federal gun regulation is in flux. But one thing is clear: the days of unchecked ATF authority may be numbered.

For gun owners, the proposed merger represents a rare opportunity to rein in an agency that has too often been used as a political weapon. Whether or not Congress approves the merger, the Trump administration has sent a loud and clear message—it’s time for accountability, transparency, and respect for the Constitution.

One down, a thousand more to go.

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