Press Release: Congressman Fulcher Demands Answers on Unauthorized Suppressor Requirements from ATF

By Press Release • April 1, 2022

The following Press Release was sent out by Congressman Russ Fulcher. Note: Press Releases sent out by elected officials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Russ Fulcher joined Congressman Andy Biggs and 140 of their congressional colleagues to send a letter to the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Mr. Marvin Richardson, in response to ATF’s attempt to restrict the ability of law-abiding Americans to use firearm suppressors.

Congressman Fulcher commented, “Normally, anyone wishing to make a suppressor would go through the routine process: submit a Form 1 to ATF, pay a $200 fee, and have a background check. Without any oversight or going through the normal rules process, the ATF has begun denying the Form 1 and demanding additional materials. Not only does each American have a Constitutional right to bear arms, we also have processes in place to prevent this type of unchecked ‘rule’-making from the executive branch agencies– we need answers on why the ATF is going around these processes to extend their overreach into Idahoans lives.”

“The ATF continues to infringe on the constitutional liberties of law-abiding Americans. This has gone long enough,” said Congressman Andy Biggs. “ATF is ignoring years of precedent to restrict individuals’ ability to make their own silencers. I’ve heard from my constituents how this arbitrary change is negatively impacting them. This is unacceptable. The ATF is overstepping its authority and it must explain its actions to Congress and the American people.”

“President Biden and his radical Democrat allies have continuously attacked our most fundamental liberties. Now, the Biden ATF is attempting to further restrict the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens. Americans have had enough and deserve to know why the Biden Administration believes that the mere possession of otherwise legal items are now considered to be violations of federal law,” said Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary Jim Jordan (OH-4).

Read the full letter here.