Thanks very much for getting in touch with me and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) efforts to restrict certain types of ammunition.
Since 1986, federal law has prohibited the import, manufacture, and distribution of “armor piercing ammunition.” However, the Attorney General is allowed to exempt specific ammunition from such a prohibition if the Attorney General determines the ammunition is “primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes.” That policy has been working well for the past 29 years.
On February 13, 2015, the ATF announced that it had developed a new proposed framework that would determine which ammunition qualifies for this “sporting purpose” exemption.
When I heard about this proposal, I was concerned that this new framework would put unnecessary restrictions on the purchase of ammunition that has long been used by law-abiding citizens for sporting purposes. On March 9, 2015, I joined a letter with more than 50 of my colleagues in the Senate, led by Judiciary Chairman Senator Chuck Grassley, to express opposition to the ATF's proposal.
The following day, ATF agreed to pull the proposed framework. I am pleased that the ATF listened to concerns raised by my colleagues and I along with hundreds of thousands of law-abiding citizens and announced that it would not finalize this proposal.
I’m a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and I received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association in their most recent ranking of my voting record. Congress should strongly defend our right to keep and bear arms, not pass laws that take away these rights from law abiding citizens and leave criminals to terrorize the streets. Good citizens don’t abuse guns – criminals do. I will continue fighting to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans, and oppose efforts to overturn the Second Amendment.
I am grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as Second Amendment rights are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Lamar