Rep. Mann reintroduces bill expanding protections to gun stores
KANSAS (KSNT) - Kansas Representative Tracey Mann is reintroducing a bill that he says would fortify Second Amendment rights and protect small gun store owners.
Mann reintroduced the Reining in Federal Licensing Enforcement (RIFLE) Act in response to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) zero-tolerance policy on willful violations by federally licensed dealers. Since starting the zero-tolerance policy, the ATF has revoked more than 250 Federal Firearms Licenses (FFL) across the nation and 20 in Kansas.
“President Biden did everything in his power to weaponize the federal government against gun store owners in the Big First District of Kansas and across the country,” Mann said. “His zero tolerance policy undermined the Second Amendment and trampled on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. Since day one, I have rigorously pushed back against this unconstitutional policy and fought for more oversight to rein in ATF’s abuse."
"The Justice Department’s violent crime reduction strategy and our initiatives to stem the rising tide of illegal — illegal guns will save lives. But these steps alone will not solve the problem of violent crime. Success depends on all of us joining together," former Attorney General Merrick Garland said in 2021.
Mann said that, in 2024, the ATF saw the largest number of license revocations in 20 years. The legislation he reintroduced would give FFLs time to comply, clearly define what a violation is, allow FFLs to appeal determinations, reinstate licenses that were revoked during the no-tolerance policy and establish a government website to administer reimbursement claims.
What is an FFL? An FFL is a business or individual who engages in the business of manufacturing, importing and/or dealing firearms, according to the ATF. Violations of the Gun Control Act include:
- Transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.
- Failing to conduct a background check.
- Falsifying records.
- Failing to respond to a trace request.
- Refusing to allow the ATF to conduct an inspection.
Some reasons listed for revocations include an alleged flood and subsequent burning of ATF records, failure to conduct a background check, providing a false statement on an ATF record, transferring firearms before background checks were cleared and approving a Concealed Carry Permit prior to a required background check.
From 2021 to 2024, the ATF revoked the following FFL licenses in Kansas:
- Leslie E Gifford.
- Burlington
- Jesse James Gun Shop LLC.
- Edson
- Blue Valley Sales Inc.
- Overland Park
- Ronald G. Sturgeon.
- Osborne
- Charles A. Harter.
- McPherson
- Colby Drussel.
- Garden City
- Charles Francis Zentz.
- Manhattan
- Holt Tactical Solutions LLC.
- Kansas City
- Linda A O'Connor.
- Iola
- Attica Systems LLC.
- Wichita
- John Gordon Downey.
- Wichita
- Kisiwa Creek Armory LLC.
- Hutchinson
- Heartland Outdoor Inc.
- South Hutchinson
- Hayden Precision Rifles LLC.
- Satanta
- SS-4928 LLC.
- Wichita
- Asit Consulting LLC.
- Overland Park
- Michael D Allee.
- Shawnee
- Randy Wayne Engelken and Gary Lee Huerter.
- Seneca
- Custombilt Firearms Manufacturing, LLC.
- Overland Park
- Capitol City Pawn & Jewelry Inc.
- Leavenworth
In addition to the FFL license revocations, several licensees voluntarily ceased operations, according to the ATF over the past few years.
27 News has reached out to the ATF for comment and will add its response to the story.
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