Abolish the ATF Act

House Bill

H.R. 221

119th Congress

Abolish the ATF Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 13, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Eric Wayne Burlison

Representative

Republican

MO-7

Cosponsors

33

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

This bill abolishes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing federal laws related to firearms, explosives, arson, alcohol, and tobacco. The ATF currently investigates illegal firearms trafficking, regulates the firearms industry, and enforces federal gun laws. This legislation would eliminate the agency entirely, requiring its functions to be transferred, discontinued, or reassigned to other agencies.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill abolishes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing federal laws related to firearms, explosives, arson, alcohol, and tobacco. The ATF currently investigates illegal firearms trafficking, regulates the firearms industry, and enforces federal gun laws. This legislation would eliminate the agency entirely, requiring its functions to be transferred, discontinued, or reassigned to other agencies.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Abolish the ATF Act This bill abolishes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Completely abolishes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Eliminates the primary federal agency enforcing firearms and explosives laws
Would require transfer or discontinuation of ATF regulatory functions
Affects federal firearms dealer licensing and compliance oversight
Impacts investigation of illegal gun trafficking and explosives crimes

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For gun rights advocates: Removal of primary federal firearms regulatory agency. For firearms dealers: Uncertainty about licensing and compliance oversight. For law enforcement: Loss of specialized federal expertise in firearms and explosives investigations. For gun control advocates: Major concern about reduced federal firearms enforcement. For other federal agencies: Potential transfer of ATF responsibilities to FBI, DEA, or other entities.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Department of Justice

Executive agency funding and structure

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

221, 119th Congress (2025). "Abolish the ATF Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-221