Biden proposes spending hike of $2 billion on ATF for gun control regulations

President Joe Biden has proposed a budget for fiscal 2024 that includes a staggering $1.9billion to fund the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This represents a huge increase in funding for the agency, as well as additional proposals to regulate firearms across the nation.

The proposal, which can be found on page 40, was submitted as Biden signed an executive Order this week aimed at reducing gun violence through increased background checks throughout the country. This proposal comes just days after the ATF attempted to enforce rules such as the ban on stabilizing pistol braces. “ghost guns,” Implementing “zero-tolerance” policies for federal firearms dealers.

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Biden’s proposal for funding the ATF would almost double the amount of the fiscal 2023 budget. This is 13.6% more than the current budget. It would also represent a 50% increase over the fiscal 2017 budget, which was under President Barack Obama.

Gun rights groups, such as Gun Owners of America which has more than 2.2million members, criticized Biden’s proposal as fueling a dangerous environment. “war against American gun owners” And is asking Congress to “cut ATF funding to pre-Biden administration levels or lower.”

“For too long, ATF has abused its authority to persecute otherwise law-abiding gun owners who have committed non-violent offenses — such as having a barrel that is too short. ATF’s abuse of gun rights must stop,” GOA published a March 10, 2010 statement.

White House officials believe that increased ATF funding would help to regulate the firearms market, create gun-trafficking strike forces, enforce background checks, and other related activities.

Last week, the House Freedom Caucus, which includes some of the most conservative members in the GOP, published a budget proposal that called for the end to the current fiscal year. “unconstitutional ‘pistol brace’ ATF rule,” The law, which goes into effect in May, requires gun owners who own stabilizing devices to register.

But, any Freedom Caucus proposal wouldn’t be able pass the tiny GOP majority in the House. The Senate has a 51-49 Democratic majority. The Respect for the Second Amendment Act was introduced by the Senate Republicans. This Act codifies key Supreme Court decisions protecting the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.

“We’re giving individual Americans the right to sue under the law we’re introducing today if governmental organizations or other organizations come after your … Second Amendment rights,” Thursday’s comments were made by Senator Lindsey Graham, R-SC, one of the bill’s sponsor.

Biden signed the executive order in conjunction with his trip to California’s Monterey Bay. This is where he witnessed the tragic mass shooting that occurred over the Lunar New Year.

As President Obama contemplates his 2024 reelection announcement he has consistently emphasized the need for Congress to legislate universal backchecks and reinstate the 1994 ban against assault-style weapons, and high-capacity magazine.

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Public polling also shows that Americans are increasingly dissatisfied by U.S. gun laws.

Gallup’s February poll showed that 63% of Americans are unhappy with federal gun laws. Only 34% were happy with federal firearm policies, a record low.