Tester: Reassignment should give ATF ‘new start’

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement in response to the reassignment of the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Kenneth Melson faced criticism following “Operation Fast and Furious,” a failed sting operation that resulted in Mexican criminals getting access to American firearms.

“This move should be used as an opportunity to give the ATF a new start, to strike a better balance between tough law enforcement and the undeniable Second Amendment rights we have as law-abiding Americans.  We need an ATF Director who has a record of upholding the Constitution and working with existing laws to crack down on illegal gun smuggling.”

The U.S. Justice Department today announced that U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones of Minnesota will serve as acting ATF director.

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