The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) top lawyer has been fired by Attorney General Pam Bondi after President Donald Trump instructed the AG to investigate any cases that might have violated any American’s Second Amendment protected rights.
Former ATF Chief Counsel Pam Hicks announced on LinkedIn that she received a termination notice from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Ms. Hick has worked for the government for 28 years. She has been the darling of the anti-gun movement for her aggressive targeting of gun owners and her almost blind devotion to legally dubious ATF rules and regulations.
“Earlier today, I was served official notice from the Attorney General of the United States that I was being removed from my position as the Chief Counsel of ATF and my employment with the Department of Justice terminated,” Hicks wrote. “I have had the privilege of serving in the federal civil service for almost 28 years, including 23 as an attorney for the Department of Justice. Serving as ATF Chief Counsel has been the highest honor of my career, and working with the people at ATF and throughout the Department has been a pleasure. I thank my colleagues for their friendship and partnership over the years.”
Ms. Hicks has been the driving force of the ATF behind several high-profile legal cases. One of those cases is a challenge to the pistol brace rule, which the courts struck down. The ATF is still fighting that case, but there are signs that the Bureau might change its position. The ATF has asked for a pause in all pistol brace cases. With the dismissal of Hicks, hopes are high.
The other rules that Hicks has defended deal with bump stocks, privately manufactured firearms (PMF), and being engaged in the business of dealing firearms. The Supreme Court knocked down the Bump Stock rule. The rest of the rules have been ruled against in the courts but are still being litigated at higher-level courts. Also, a letter from 30 Senators asked the ATF to review and get rid of those rules.
She was also the Chief Counsel who cleared the way for the nearly one billion digitized records in the Martinsburg, WV, Out of Business Office. The same Congressional letter asked the ATF to destroy the records. She has been a staunch ally of anti-gun groups and their attempt to subvert the right to keep and bear arms.
Brady condemned the firing of Hicks. It accused the DOJ of bending its will to the gun industry and implementing a pro-gun extremist agenda. Brady President Kris Brown claimed that Americans are less safe with the firing and accused “industry insiders” of putting profits above lives.
“The abrupt firing of ATF Chief Counsel Hicks is chilling. It is also no secret that ATF has historically been woefully under-resourced, and we pay the price for our safety, with guns now the number one killer of children in this country. Now, with this sudden removal at the federal agency charged with preventing gun trafficking and overseeing the gun industry, we are all at greater risk.”
“Without light being shed on the sources and suppliers of gun crime in America, and enforcement of the laws designed to protect the public from gun violence, we will not be able to stem the flow of firearms that are contaminating and plaguing our nation,” he continued. “This administration’s latest move clearly demonstrates its willingness to capitulate to gun lobby interests at the expense of public safety. The American people deserve leadership at ATF that will vigorously enforce our nation’s gun laws and hold bad actors accountable — not industry insiders who will protect gun manufacturer profits over American lives. The position must be filled by someone committed to public safety, not industry profits.”
With Hicks out of the ATF, the Bureau has a chance of replacing her with a Constitutionalist that will not prioritize making millions of Americans criminals over prosecuting dangerous transnational terrorist organizations.
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
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