Washington — With just a few days left in the Biden administration, not all of the president's appointees are going quietly. Steven DettelbachThe director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is warning that the agency is in the crosshairs of the incoming administration.
Dettelbach's agency helped identify gunman Thomas Crooks July assassination attempt at President-elect Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania – by locating the assault rifle with which Crooks fired.
“In the attempted assassination of President Trump, ATF identified the shooter in that case within 30 minutes,” Dettelbach said.
They say ATF is monitoring multiple threats, including guns ghost gunsone of which was used in murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in New York City last month.
“They're so broad because they appeal to people who can't legally obtain guns,” Dettelbach said.
These tiny parts, some made on 3D printers, could turn conventional guns into automated weapons.
Dettelbach, who expects to leave his post upon Trump's inauguration, warns that the ATF is a prime target for major cuts.
Trump has criticized Dettelbach by name.
“On day one, we will fire Steve Dettelbach, the radical gun-grabber,” Trump told members of the National Rifle Association at a gathering last February.
Detbach says funding cuts almost certain despite new cuts crime rate in usa,
But congressional Republicans have already proposed cutting the agency by $188 million this year, charging that the ATF overreaches and imposing too many restrictions, including pistol braces.
Dettelbach believes that if the ATF was abolished, “people would die.”
A major part of the ATF's work is to help local law enforcement agencies track down shooters and solve cases, such as assisting with investigations. in a mass shooting Last year at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
“There's a lot of things that you don't realize that they're involved in, with local law enforcement, they play a big role in it,” Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley told CBS News of the ATF.
Just days earlier, ATF agents were the first on the scene to help locate the weapons and explosives used new orleans truck attack In which 14 people died, and tesla cybertruck bombing In Las Vegas.
Dettelbach says no matter who is in charge, he hopes the ATF's work remains in focus.
“I believe the mission of this agency, which is fighting violent crime, is extremely non-partisan and bipartisan.”
, Robert Legare, Andres Troy and Julia Kimani-Burnham contributed to this report.
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Contributed to this report.
