WASHINGTON — ATF and the NRA are two acronyms that seldom play together well.
So it’s no surprise that the NRA — the National Rifle Association — and other gun rights advocates aren’t happy with the White House’ nomination of Andrew Traver to head the agency. Traver currently heads up the ATF Chicago office.
USA Today reports that gun rights advocates see Traver as an anti-gun zealot, and they oppose his nomination.
“Traver has been deeply aligned with gun-control advocates and anti-gun activities,” the NRA said in a statement, according to USA Today. “This makes him the wrong choice to lead an enforcement agency that has almost exclusive oversight and control over the firearms industry, its retailers and consumers.”
But Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has a different take.
“I see (Traver’s nomination) as a very big opportunity for the administration,” Helmke told USA Today. “Since this administration took office, they have run from the gun issue. … They need to fight for this.”
Traver’s nomination has yet to be scheduled for Senate consideration.
His nomination comes in wake of the Tucson shooting, which triggered a renewed national debate over gun control.
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