WASHINGTON DC (May 5, 2020) — US Senator Charles "Chuck" Grassley (R-IA) and his colleagues are encouraging the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) to continue protecting public safety while respecting the Second Amendment and federal law during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a letter led by Sen John Cornyn (R-TX) to FBI Director Christopher Wray and ATF Acting Director Regina Lombardo, the senators are seeking information on how the federal firearms background check system is responding during the pandemic.
They wrote: “As our country continues to respond to the pandemic, we are seeking additional information on the impact the coronavirus has had on your agencies and the firearm transfer process so that we have a clearer picture on where things stand and how we can better assist through the legislative and appropriations process.”
“We appreciate that the current national emergency has brought about unprecedented challenges for the FBI and the ATF, and we appreciate that your agencies are working with significant challenges for staff and resources.”
“We are confident that through your leadership, we can work together to ensure that NICS remains up and running during this crisis and that law-abiding citizens are not deprived of their constitutional right to keep and bear arms, especially during these uncertain times.”
Along with Sens Cornyn and Grassley, the letter was signed by senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tim Scott (R-SC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni K Ernst (R-IA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steven Daines (R-MT), Michael B Enzi (R-WY), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Inhofe (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), David Perdue (R-GA), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Thune (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Full text of the letter enclosed at link.
