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Letter

NEA Urges Senate to Confirm Steve Dettelbach as ATF Director

Mr. Dettelbach has the experience, expertise, and broad support needed to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at this critical moment.
Submitted on: July 12, 2022

United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

 

Dear Senator:

On behalf of the 3 million members of the National Education Association, who live and work in 14,000 communities across America, I urge you to confirm Steve Dettelbach as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Votes on this issue may be included in the NEA Report Card for the 117th Congress.

The ATF has not had a Senate-confirmed leader at the helm since 2015, during a period of rising gun violence and mass shootings. It is imperative not only that the Senate confirm someone to lead the ATF, but that the director be the best possible candidate for the role at this extremely painful, troubling time. Mr. Dettelbach is that leader and has the experience, expertise, and record to oversee the ATF.

Mr. Dettelbach is a highly regarded former U.S. Attorney and prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice who has dedicated his career to fighting violent crime and domestic extremism. He has served as chair of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Advisory Subcommittee and has worked with law enforcement at all levels, including the ATF.

During his career, he has overseen the prosecution of extremists and domestic terrorists, including a man with 18 weapons, body armor, and 40,000 rounds of ammunition accused of targeting Black and Jewish leaders in Detroit. Mr. Dettelbach has also been extensively involved in investigations of neo-Nazis, Skinheads, and other white supremacists. In addition, he participated in efforts to eradicate communities of violent gangs and worked on the Violence Gun Reduction and Interdiction Program to fight crime in several Ohio cities.

Mr. Dettelbach’s record has garnered the endorsement of Everytown for Gun Safety, law enforcement organizations, civil rights organizations, and groups and associations across a broad spectrum of viewpoints and missions. He has extensive bipartisan support, proof of his non-ideological approach to his work. 

The recent massacres in Uvalde, Buffalo, and Highland Park; the deaths of more than 100 Americans each day due to gun violence; and the flood of weapons in communities from coast to coast emphasize how important it is that the Senate confirm an ATF director. We urge you to vote YES on the confirmation of Steve Dettelbach as the next director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives because he has the credentials, deep experience, and character for the job.

 

Sincerely,

Marc Egan
Director of Government Relations
National Education Association

National Education Association

Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.