Under questioning from Texas Senator Ted Cruz Wednesday during his confirmation in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, President Joe Biden's nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms openly stated he believes the AR-15, the most popular rifle in the United States, should be banned. Further, he said he believes AR-15s that have already been purchased lawfully by millions of Americans should be registered and those who refuse to do so should face criminal charges.
Senator @tedcruz presses ATF Director Nominee David Chipman to admit that he supports a ban on the AR-15, the most popular rifle in America.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 26, 2021
An AR-15 was issued to Chipman during his time on the ATF SWAT team. pic.twitter.com/iCGy8lWu5y
Sen. Ted Cruz to Biden ATF nominee David Chipman: "You mean that you don't just want to ban the manufacture of those rifles. You don't just want to make it illegal to sell those rifles, but you want to actively have government go after the people who currently possess firearms." pic.twitter.com/uuJDf8br0w
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) May 26, 2021
When asked to define the term "assault weapon," Chipman said he believes it means any rifle with a caliber above .22 that can take a detachable magazine. Through this definition, Chipman believes essentially all modern sporting rifles should be banned.
Senator @TomCottonAR: "What is an 'assault weapon?'"
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 26, 2021
Chipman: "...any semi-automatic rifle capable of accepting a detachable magazine above the caliber of .22, which would include the .223 which is largely the AR-15 round." pic.twitter.com/JFPAZliFLf
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During the hearing Chipman repeatedly touted his experience as an ATF agent, but his most recent career has been as a lobbyist for rabidly anti-Second Amendment organizations.
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