A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that respected constitutional gun rights and understood the difference between violent criminals and law-abiding gun owners was only a pipe dream in recent years.
But, on Monday, ATF Director Robert Cekada noted in a social media post that notoriously lengthy wait times for the most common forms his agency processes are down. Way down.
The times really are changing.
It is difficult to overstate the stark improvement in processing forms and applications
Cekada started by admitting that the ATF has a history of slow-walking paperwork vital to lawful gun ownership. Then he highlighted changes that reflect a newfound respect for Second Amendment rights.
“This chart tells a story I’m proud to share,” Cekada posted. “The white line represents the average processing times across the four ATF forms Americans submit most often. It shows just how far we have come. Thanks to the dedication of our employees, the average time has stripped from 73 days in FY21 to just 18 days today. Form 4 processing has fallen from 150 days to approximately 18 days.”
While there remains work to be done, the ATF is on the correct path
To be sure, a decrease of 76% in the overall time these ubiquitous submissions are processed is not a statistical anomaly.
Instead, it reflects growth and, in broader terms, the way a government of, by, and for the people should operate. Many of Cekada’s predecessors, with official blessing, operated in a manner that was openly hostile to the right to keep and bear arms.
The process of acquiring Second Amendment-related items governed by the National Firearms Act (NFA) is also streamlined. A previous average wait time of 14 MONTHS now takes mere days.
No one claims that the agency is where it needs to be, but positive change must be recognized to ensure that it continues.
There’s no better way to show your patriotism than with merch that speaks before you do.
Defend America is more than a name, it’s a stand for freedom, resilience, and the values this country was built on. Every tee, hat, and mug is a symbol of unapologetic pride. Wear it loud, wear it proud, and let the world know: freedom isn’t negotiable.
Click the link below to join the movement.