{"id":2449295,"date":"2025-06-19T10:22:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T14:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-slashes-atfs-gun-licensing-inspectors-amid-dea-shake-up\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T10:24:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T14:24:50","slug":"doj-slashes-atfs-gun-licensing-inspectors-amid-dea-shake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-slashes-atfs-gun-licensing-inspectors-amid-dea-shake-up\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ slashes ATF&#8217;s gun licensing inspectors amid DEA shake-up"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-slashes-atfs-gun-licensing-inspectors-amid-dea-shake-up%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2449295&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Department of Justice (DOJ) is planning to substantially reduce the workforce of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (ATF) as part of a 2026 budget proposal. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/okla-gov-kevin-stitt-outlines-plan-to-combat-inflation\/\" title=\"Okla. Gov. Kevin Stitt outlines plan to combat inflation\">plan includes eliminating<\/a> two-thirds of federal gun licensing inspectors and merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Management (DEA), aiming to streamline operations and cut costs by approximately $468 million. The proposed changes will include the termination of 541 industry operations investigators who <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >oversee federally licensed gun dealers<\/a>, which is expected to diminish ATF&#8217;s regulatory capacity by 40%. <\/p>\n<p>The overhaul follows Republican initiatives to address concerns about ATF&#8217;s role and perceived inefficiencies, with some lawmakers advocating for the agency&#8217;s abolition. Supporters of the changes argue that ATF duplicates functions handled by other agencies, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-health-official-defends-forcing-2-year-olds-to-wear-masks\/\" title=\"Biden health official supports mask-wearing for 2-year-olds.\">critics express concern<\/a> over the potential impact on gun regulation and public safety. the DOJ&#8217;s proposal emphasizes reducing operational redundancies and saving taxpayer money, while maintaining essential regulatory functions mandated by law.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DOJ slashes ATF&rsquo;s gun licensing inspectors amid DEA shake-up<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2088150\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Department of Justice\">Department of Justice<\/a> plans to eliminate two-thirds of federal gun licensing inspectors amid the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Trump administration<\/a>&rsquo;s push to streamline the government by consolidating agencies and removing redundancies.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ&rsquo;s recently released 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/media\/1403736\/dl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">budget proposal<\/a> details plans to merge the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the Drug Enforcement Administration, downsizing the ATF in a move projected to cut overall costs by $468 million.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3443063\/white-house-juneteenth-plans-trump\/\">White House lists no Juneteenth celebration&nbsp;plans for Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3446223\/trump-vance-prepare-maga-world-possible-us-entry-war-iran\/\">Trump and Vance prepare MAGA world for possible US strikes against Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3446802\/trump-morgan-ortagus-middle-east-envoy-un\/\">Trump taps Morgan Ortagus for senior UN role after Middle East appointment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The merger, first<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/2025\/03\/27\/atf-dea-merger-justice-changes-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> floated<\/a> in March, includes significant reductions in the ATF&rsquo;s workforce, eliminating 541 industry operations investigators. The IOI inspectors are responsible for scrutinizing federally licensed gun dealers and identifying businesses they believe are selling firearms to criminal suspects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The move &ldquo;reduces ATF&rsquo;s capacity to regulate the firearms and explosives industries&rdquo; by 40%, saving the agency roughly $82 million. According to the proposal, budget savings related to overall personnel and operations cuts, including slashing another 470 positions through attrition of both agents and support personnel, would account for $354 million.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;After absorbing select functions of ATF, DEA will remain as a single component that will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-dems-kill-crime-bill-amid-baltimore-murder-spike\/\" title=\"Maryland Dems Kill Crime Bill Amid Baltimore Murder Spike\">address violent crime<\/a>, drug enforcement, and crimes relating to firearms &hellip; [leading to] reductions of duplicative functions and infrastructure,&rdquo; the DOJ document reads. &ldquo;ATF will perform fewer regulatory inspections of Federal firearms and explosives. ATF will continue activities mandated by statute, such as the Safe Explosives Act.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>FBI Director Kash Patel initially served as the ATF&rsquo;s acting director during the first months of the Trump administration. In April, he was removed and replaced by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.<\/p>\n<p>The stripping down of ATF follows Republican-led efforts, including by Reps. Eric Burlison (R-MO) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3279268\/atf-under-fire-reform-shut-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">overhaul the agency<\/a> due to concerns it undermines Second Amendment protections. The pair introduced <a href=\"http:\/\/boebert.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/reps-boebert-burlison-introduce-legislation-abolish-atf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">legislation<\/a> in January to abolish the ATF altogether.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump waves as Secretary of the U.S. Army Daniel Driscoll watches at Pope Army Airfield at Fort Bragg, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/washington-secrets\/3279268\/atf-under-fire-reform-shut-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ATF UNDER FIRE TO REFORM OR SHUT DOWN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>ATF is &ldquo;just duplicative,&rdquo; Burlison previously told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;They overlap a lot of our other agencies, the FBI, that&rsquo;s really under their scope. You have the U.S. Marshals Service. There&rsquo;s a lot of agencies that provide the same level of service.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of things that are being done by the ATF that are not about keeping people safe. It&rsquo;s just about making everyone who wants to own a firearm make our lives miserable,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2088150\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2088150\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ cuts ATF gun inspectors by two-thirds in agency merger<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2449296,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/guns.-.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50902,7953,7076,57477,57476],"class_list":["post-2449295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-atf-2","tag-dea","tag-doj","tag-government-restructuring","tag-gun-licensing"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/guns.-.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2449295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2449295"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2449295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2449299,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2449295\/revisions\/2449299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2449296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2449295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2449295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2449295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}