Robert Cekada’s nomination to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) encountered little resistance last week as he sailed through his Senate examination.
Despite ongoing and pitched federal battles over Second Amendment issues, both sides of the partisan aisle appear in agreement over the current deputy director. Cekada’s nomination is a far cry from recent choices who drew opposition from one side or the other—or both.
Cekada’s nomination is not drawing the controversy of past experiences
The nominee drew support from both Second Amendment supporters and those who generally oppose the right to keep and bear arms. The questions were not adversarial, and no lawmaker indicated that they were unwilling to vote for Cekada.
His opening remarks highlighted his determination to secure public safety while defending gun rights.
“I’ve spent nearly thirty-four years in local and federal law enforcement with a singular mission—keeping the American people safe,” Cekada told Senate lawmakers. “ATF’s core mission is public safety: targeting violent criminals and disrupting firearms trafficking networks, armed gangs, and cartels.”
Nominee declared ATF’s mission is not to harass law-abiding gun owners
Cekada pushed back at any indication that his agency would be weaponized against upstanding citizens.
“ATF’s mission is not to burden lawful gun owners or undermine the Second Amendment,” the nominee noted. “The right to keep and bear arms is a Constitutional guarantee and I am committed to protecting and preserving it.”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry trade group, is solidly in the Cekada camp. The organization wrote a noteworthy recommendation to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL).
“Mr. Cekada has dedicated his life to serving the American people and advancing public safety,” the NSSF noted. “During his more than three decades in law enforcement, including over 20 years with the ATF, Mr. Cekada has distinguished himself as an effective professional consistently recognized for his leadership capabilities and proven record of enforcing the law.”
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) also threw its considerable weight behind the nomination. The organization penned a glowing letter to Senate leaders extolling Cekada’s lengthy resume and commitment to law and order.
“His career began on the front lines as a police officer with the New York City Police Department, where he focused on anti-gang operations, and continued with the Plantation Police Department in Florida, serving in patrol and on the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team,” the FOP wrote. “During his tenure at ATF, he has held critical leadership positions, including Special Agent in Charge of the Miami and Baltimore Field Divisions, Executive Assistant Director for Operations, and currently serves as Deputy Director.”
The law enforcement advocates added that the nominee “demonstrated his commitment to combating violent crime, disrupting illegal firearms trafficking, and fostering strong relationships with local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies.”
An encouraging sign for Cekada’s nomination chances came from Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a fierce opponent of Second Amendment rights. The Democrat acknowledged the broad base of support the nominee enjoys.
“Mr. Cekada, I’m actually really grateful you’re here and really relieved by your nomination,” Booker declared. “Your years of dedicated service [are] something I have a lot of just respect for and gratitude for.”
That did not mean that Booker did not have concerns. He and his colleagues raised issues over ATF agents pulling double duty in immigration enforcement, something the nominee acknowledged is happening but on a limited scale.
“ATF has never had more than 75 to 100 agents a day working to support ICE and HSI,” Cekada explained. “ATF in these operations has been focused on offenders that were illegally armed with firearms.”
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