Nomination of David Chipman
Floor Speech
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Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, David Chipman is the nominee for the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agency. I know a bit about him because he went through the Agency process. He is a veteran of over 20 years working for this Agency. We need him. I will tell you why we need him.
In the history of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agency, there has only been one person who has served--I believe it is from your State of Minnesota. There is only one person who served as the confirmed Director of the Agency. Otherwise, over and over again, it goes without any leadership. You say: Well, is that just an accident that this Agency never has a Director? I don't think it is an accident at all.
You see, the gun lobby, when they want to make their case against new gun laws, always say the same thing: ``Well, just enforce the laws on the books. You don't need new laws. Enforce the laws on the books.''
If you bought that premise, then the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agency is one of the agencies that does that. So if you can weaken this Agency--fewer agents, fewer employees, fewer supervisors, no Director--then the actual enforcement that is being done by this Agency is diminished.
So, now, President Biden brings us Mr. Chipman. There are two parts of his career that should be noted: Over 20 years at ATF, involved in some of the most serious investigations, and did an incredible job. After he left the ATF, he went to work for a gun safety group. He is the first one to tell you: ``I own a gun, and I respect your Second Amendment rights and my Second Amendment rights, but I don't want guns to get into the hands of the wrong people, and that is how I would run the ATF.''
I think that reflects what the majority of Americans think. Second Amendment rights--I honor them, I respect them, they are in the law, decided by the Supreme Court in the Heller decision, but when it comes to guns--and I look at the wanton violence taking place. I don't want guns getting into the hands of convicted felons. No, I don't. I don't think they have any Second Amendment right, neither does David Chipman. But the people behind the gun lobby, gun industry don't want an Agency that actually enforces those laws. They really don't. And so they are trying to stop his nomination.
It may be controversial, but I hope he gets this job. I am going to vote for him.
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