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Hardline conservative Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Eric Burlison, R-Mo., have introduced legislation that would abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The one-page bill would eliminate the law enforcement agency, which regulates firearms and prosecutes federal gun crimes, in addition to crimes involving explosives, arson, bombings, acts of terrorism and activities illegal activities related to alcohol and tobacco products.
In statements, Republican lawmakers argue that the ATF regulations violate the second amendment rights of Americans to keep and bear arms.
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Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colon, introduced legislation along with Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Moscow, to abolish the ATF. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“I cannot imagine under any circumstances or administration where the ATF would serve as an ally to the Second Amendment and law-abiding firearms owners across America,” Boebert said.
“The ATF is emblematic of the deep state bureaucracy that believes it can infringe on constitutional liberties without consequence,” Burlison added. “If this agency cannot fulfill its duty of service to the people within the framework of the Constitution, it has no place in our government.”
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Rep. Eric Burlison is leading a bill to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (Getty Images)
The bill to abolish the ATF has seven co-sponsors House of Representativesincluding Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Mike Collins, R-Ga., Bob Onder, R-Mo., Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., Mary Miller, R-Ill., Keith Self, R-Texas, and Paul Gosar, R-Ariz.
ATF did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The ATF seal. (Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images)
In an earlier interview with Fox News Digital, Burlison argued that law enforcement responsibilities handled by ATF would be better left to the states.
“There are very few ATF officials,” he said, accusing the agency of “co-opting or requiring (local) law enforcement to enforce laws” that state lawmakers failed to pass.
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In a statement to Fox News Digital, ATF spokeswoman Kristina Mastropasqua said, “ATF provides tremendous benefits to the American public through all of its efforts to fight violent crime every day.”
Burlison also said Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be abolished.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.
