Confirmation of Steve Dettelbach as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Following the Senate’s bipartisan confirmation of Steve Dettelbach as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today:

“Every day, ATF’s agents, investigators, and professional staff work tirelessly to protect our communities from violent crime and the devastation caused by gun violence. They provide support, training, and expertise to law enforcement agencies nationwide, conduct life-saving research and analysis, work to ensure that our regulations keep pace with the ever-changing technology of firearms, and disrupt illegal gun trafficking networks.

“Today, for the second time in history, the United States Senate has voted to give ATF long-overdue Senate-confirmed leadership. As a career prosecutor and the former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steve understands the importance and urgency of ATF’s mission, and I am confident he will lead ATF with integrity, dedication, and skill.”