RELEASE: Rep. Cloud Introduces Amendment to Increase ATF Transparency and Accountability

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX) successfully introduced an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill requiring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to disclose crucial information on their record-keeping practices. The amendment, adopted by voice vote, mandates the ATF to publicly disclose the number of records they currently possess and how many of these have been digitized.

The ATF’s record-keeping practices are the slippery slope to a federal firearms registry, which would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. The lack of transparency in how the ATF manages these records raises significant privacy and accountability issues. Recent changes in ATF policies, including the retention of firearm transaction records and increased digitization, have heightened these concerns. Congressman Cloud’s amendment aims to bring oversight and transparency to ensure the ATF does not overreach its authority and to protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights.

Last month, Congressman Cloud, alongside Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA), visited the ATF headquarters to gather more information on these issues. Their visit highlighted the need for greater transparency and provided crucial insights that informed the drafting of this amendment. This follows Rep. Cloud’s continuous efforts to prevent the ATF from overreaching its authority, including his reintroduction of the No REGISTRY Rights Act to dismantle any potential federal firearms registry.

Cloud’s amendment seeks to address these concerns by providing a clear and public accounting of the ATF’s records. By requiring this disclosure, the amendment aims to enhance transparency, ensure better oversight, and inform future legislative decisions.

Rep. Cloud released the following statement:

“For too long, the ATF has operated without sufficient transparency. This amendment will provide much-needed clarity on the number of records the ATF holds and their digitization progress.

 During our visit to the ATF headquarters last month, Congressman Clyde and I saw firsthand the urgent need for more oversight. The ATF has been more focused on violating Americans’ Second Amendment rights than protecting them, and the American people deserve to know how their data is being managed. The handling of nearly a billion gun owners’ records in a digital, searchable database is unacceptable and a threat to privacy and liberty.

I thank my colleagues for supporting this amendment and look forward to the bill being brought to the House floor.”