“…an inadequate understanding of firearms regulation”

Outlined below are a series of research findings that present several serious concerns that are potentially disqualifying regarding David Chipman, the President’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

As the report below outlines, Mr. Chipman has a record of toxic, problematic, and discriminatory behavior at the ATF. These include credible allegations that Chipman told an African American agent at the Bureau that black agents could not have passed an examination without cheating.

There are also serious concerns about the possibility that Chipman lost or
had his service weapon stolen while stationed in Washington D.C. There are also concerns that Chipman attempted to secure an impermissible relocation benefit when he was transferred out of headquarters.

Chipman has also made a series of radical, inaccurate, and inflammatory comments that raise serious questions about his judgement and fitness to lead. Chipman has lied about firearms use at the Waco siege to push his gun control agenda, supported defunding the police and ending
the war on drugs, supported arresting individuals before they have committed crimes, and supported radical left-wing groups and causes. And these are only the things we are aware of.

Mr. Chipman has been aggressive in deleting or obscuring his social media history by deleting posts and blocking access. This leads one to ask: If Mr. Chipman is afraid of talking about his past, does it say something about his past?

Finally, Chipman has an ideological furor that is coupled with an inadequate understanding of firearms regulation, a troubling issue for someone who would head an agency with broad regulatory authority. Despite the Assault Weapon Ban being the most high-profile issue regarding guns on Capitol Hill, supposed firearms expert David Chipman could not give a clear answer to what an “Assault Weapon” is.

Chipman has also regularly distorted technical issues related to firearms to promote a radical gun agenda.