WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after the full U.S. Senate voted to confirm Steve Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement:

“As our nation continues to grapple with rising gun violence, it is critical that we have strong, stable leadership at the ATF.  Mr. Dettelbach isn’t a place holder, he’s permanent – appointed by the President and duly confirmed by the U.S. Senate.  He’s got a mandate to enforce our gun laws, reduce gun violence, and improve public safety.  The gun lobby fought hard to stop this nomination from ever getting a vote and I am pleased that we were able to overcome their misplaced opposition and approve a permanent leader at the ATF for the first time in nearly a decade.

“Some opponents of commonsense gun safety reforms like to say that gun laws just need to be enforced.  Now the ATF has a boss committed to enforcing those laws and people and gun manufacturers who break them will be held accountable.”

In April, President Joe Biden nominated Steven Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney from Ohio to serve as Director of the ATF.  Dettelbach has earned widespread praise from law enforcement.  He now becomes only the second person confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead the ATF, and the first since former ATF Director B. Todd Jones in 2013.

Over the course of his legal career, Dettelbach has worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement, and county prosecutors to put away violent criminals, including murderers, child predators, and human traffickers.