The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Interim Final Rule removing the Attorney General’s delegation of authority to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to process applications for relief from federal firearms disabilities under 18 U.S.C. 925(c). [More]
Yep:
Although federal law provides a means for the relief of firearms disabilities, ATF’s annual appropriation since October 1992 has prohibited the expending of any funds to investigate or act upon applications for relief from federal firearms disabilities submitted by individuals. As long as this provision is included in current ATF appropriations, ATF cannot act upon applications for relief from federal firearms disabilities submitted by individuals.
[18 U.S.C. 925(c); 27 CFR 478.144]
Rendering Chuck Schumer’s appropriations rider against ATF restoring rights impotent by removing ATF from the equation is really smart, and I feel like this is a “Doh!” moment for those of us who never thought of it.. How come no one proposed this before, or did someone, and word of it never escaped the echo chamber?
