By Steve Neavling
David Chipman, President Biden’s pick to lead the ATF, is facing strong opposition from Senate Republicans and uncertainty among some Democrats.
Chipman, a gun owner and former ATF agent, is under fire for his support of firearm restrictions, including a ban on assault weapons.
The National Rifle Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation are putting up a fight to stop Chipman’s nomination and have spent more than $4 million in radio and TV ads in the home states of moderate Democrats and Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Meanwhile, gun-control groups are putting up a fight of their own.
“Confronting the epidemic of gun violence head-on is a cornerstone of the president’s gun crime strategy, and he looks forward to the Senate quickly voting on Chipman’s nomination as ATF Director,” Michael Gwin, a White House spokesman, said.
Chipman’s nomination advanced from the Senate Judiciary Committee after a 10-10 vote. But since then, Democrats have not scheduled a confirmation vote because they’re not sure if he has enough support. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., recently said there are “three or four” holdouts among Democrats.
With a 50-50 split in the Senate, every Democrat must support the nomination.
Sens. John Hickenlooper, Colo. and Jon Tester, D., Mont., have recently indicated they are undecided.
