Amid the media frenzy surrounding President Joe Biden’s decision to pull his Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) pick, David Chipman, the National Rifle Association (NRA) tells The Federalist that no Biden nominee will respect the constitutional rights of Americans.
“The NRA does not expect an administration as anti-gun and radical as Biden’s to nominate anyone who supports the Second Amendment and cares for the constitutional rights of American citizens,” NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter said. “That said, we’re pleased we defeated Chipman, who was on record as a radical gun control proponent and who could have imposed widespread bans and countless attacks on [Second Amendment] rights.”
Biden yanked Chipman’s nomination Thursday after it became clear not enough lawmakers would back him. The senior policy advisor at Giffords, a gun-control group, has been roundly scrutinized for his controversial positions and actions. As The Federalist reported in July, Chipman claimed in 2019 he was “frustrated” by the First Amendment freedom of gun owners to say things he disapproved of.
Republican leadership indicated to The Federalist that Chipman was an inadequate nominee and other potential picks must show consideration for the rights of Americans.
“Mr. Chipman’s disregard for the Second Amendment was radical, even for the Senate Democrats who killed his nomination,” a spokesman for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said. “Leader McCarthy would support a nominee who stands with law enforcement and respects the Second Amendment — a glaring omission in Mr. Chipman’s resume.”
“A baseline qualification for anyone to be considered for this position would be a strong support for the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding gun owners,” said Lauren Fine, spokeswoman for House Minority Whip Steve Scalise.
While the NRA is pleased with Chipman’s withdrawal, the organization is still convinced the Biden administration has little regard for the Second Amendment. In August, for instance, Republicans on the Second Amendment caucus slammed the White House for altering the legal definition of a “firearm.”
“In Chipman’s defeat, we’ve won the most immediate threat to our rights,” Hunter said. “But, we expect many more battles in the future as long as Biden remains in office.”
Source: The Federalist
