In a massive shake-up of federal law enforcement, President Trump has named Kash Patel as Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and appointed Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). For America’s gun owners, these moves mark a significant opportunity to rein in the ATF’s long-standing war on the Second Amendment and refocus the FBI on actual law enforcement rather than political witch hunts.

Kash Patel: A Crucial Opportunity to Rein in the ATF

Gun owners across America have spent decades fighting the ATF’s unconstitutional overreach, and under Kash Patel’s leadership, there is now an opportunity to put a halt to the agency’s blatant attacks on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Even though multiple ATF-imposed bans—like those on pistol stabilizing braces and forced-reset triggers—have been vacated by the courts, gun owners are still being harassed, raided, and prosecuted. The agency continues targeting pro-gun Texans who possess “Made in Texas Suppressors,” which are fully legal under state law and serve as crucial hearing protection devices. The ATF’s actions are not about enforcing public safety but about crushing gun rights and sending a message that they answer to no one.

While the ultimate goal should be to abolish the ATF, the political reality in Washington makes it an uphill battle. With slim Republican majorities in Congress, pushing H.R. 221 to dismantle the ATF will require unrelenting pressure. However, what can happen immediately is placing a pro-gun leader at the helm of the ATF who will put an end to the agency’s abusive enforcement practices. Kash Patel is uniquely positioned to do just that.

Patel can take immediate action to shut down the ATF’s war on gun owners, halt enforcement of unconstitutional regulations, and clean house of anti-gun bureaucrats still trying to push Biden’s gun control agenda. Until a permanent director is chosen, Patel’s leadership could serve as the crucial first step in dismantling the ATF’s unchecked power.

Dan Bongino’s Role in Restoring the FBI’s Focus

The appointment of Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the FBI is another major win for law-abiding gun owners. Bongino, a former NYPD officer and Secret Service agent, has been one of the most outspoken defenders of the Second Amendment and has frequently exposed government overreach on his widely popular podcast and radio show.

For years, the FBI has shifted away from its original mission, often entangling itself in political disputes while failing to address violent crime and true national security threats. Under the new leadership of Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Bongino, the FBI is poised to refocus on crime-fighting fundamentals rather than partisan political persecution.

Abolishing the ATF Isn’t Enough—Repeal the NFA & GCA!

Even with Patel at the helm of the ATF, gun owners must not become complacent. Simply abolishing the ATF is not enough—so long as the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA) remain in place, any other three-letter agency could take over and continue the ATF’s unconstitutional agenda.

That’s why Texas Gun Rights is calling on Congress to pass H.R. 335 to repeal the NFA immediately. The NFA is the outdated, unconstitutional law responsible for regulating short-barreled rifles, suppressors, and so-called “destructive devices.” If left in place, any future administration hostile to gun rights will still have the legal framework to resurrect gun control enforcement, even without the ATF.

Gun Owners Must Hold Congress’ Feet to the Fire

There’s no sugarcoating it: even with Republican control, passing pro-gun measures and repealing existing gun control won’t be easy. President Trump’s leadership is a huge asset, but he is not omnipotent—Congress must act, and that will only happen if gun owners apply maximum pressure.

Gun owners were the key to securing Republican victories in the November elections, and now it’s time for those elected officials to deliver. Every Second Amendment supporter must demand that their representatives and senators abolish the ATF, repeal the NFA, and restore full constitutional gun rights.

Until that happens, Kash Patel’s leadership at the ATF is a necessary first step to immediately halting the ATF’s abuses. But make no mistake—abolishing the ATF and dismantling unconstitutional gun laws remain the ultimate goals.

Take Action Now!

Texas Gun Rights urges all gun owners to contact their representatives and demand support for H.R. 221 and H.R. 335. The fight for the Second Amendment is far from over, but with Patel and Bongino in key positions, the path to victory is clearer than ever.

Gun owners must remain vigilant, engaged, and ready to push back against any infringement on their rights. The time to act is now!