ATF official calls for less oversight

WASHINGTON — The second-highest-ranking official at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has written a proposal to reduce gun regulations, including examining a possible end to the ban on importing assault weapons into the United States.

The 11-page white paper by Ronald Turk, associate deputy director and chief operating officer of the ATF, calls for removing restrictions on the sale of gun silencers; allowing gun dealers to have more guns used in crimes traced to their stores before the federal government requires additional information from the dealer; and initiating a study on lifting the ban on imported assault weapons.

“Restriction on imports serves questionable public safety interests, as these rifles are already generally legally available for manufacture and ownership in the United States,” Turk wrote of the ban on imported AR-15s and AK-style weapons.

The white paper, obtained by The Washington Post, is titled “Options to Reduce or Modify Firearms Regulations.” The proposal opens with the wording of the Second Amendment and is dated Jan. 20.

“This white paper offers a disturbing series of giveaways to the gun industry that would weaken regulatory oversight of the gun industry without adequate consideration of the impact on public safety,” said Chelsea Parsons, vice president of guns and crime policy at the Center for American Progress, a think tank.

“ATF has long described its regulatory function as a core part of its law enforcement mission to fight gun crime, yet this paper seems to prioritize reducing perceived burdens on the gun industry over an interest in protecting public safety from the illegal diversion of firearms,” Parsons said.

The white paper has the ATF seal on its cover and lists Turk’s name and ATF title. But an agency spokeswoman said it doesn’t represent the views of the ATF.

“It’s simply his opinion, and it’s to generate dialogue,” said Jan Kemp, spokeswoman for the ATF.

Several of the reduced firearms regulations are supported by the National Rifle Association, which has lobbied for some of the proposals for years.

Current law strictly limits the sale of gun silencers, devices attached to or that are part of the barrel of a gun to reduce the amount of noise and visible muzzle flash. While it is legal to buy silencers in most states, a purchase requires a ninemonth waiting time and a special $200 tax. The gun industry and the NRA have long complained about these restrictions under the National Firearms Act.