[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 123 (Wednesday, July 14, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of David Chipman

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, David Chipman is the nominee for the 
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agency. I know a bit about 
him because he went through the Agency process. He is a veteran of over 
20 years working for this Agency. We need him. I will tell you why we 
need him.
  In the history of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 
Agency, there has only been one person who has served--I believe it is 
from your State of Minnesota. There is only one person who served as 
the confirmed Director of the Agency. Otherwise, over and over again, 
it goes without any leadership. You say: Well, is that just an accident 
that this Agency never has a Director? I don't think it is an accident 
at all.
  You see, the gun lobby, when they want to make their case against new 
gun laws, always say the same thing: ``Well, just enforce the laws on 
the books. You don't need new laws. Enforce the laws on the books.''
  If you bought that premise, then the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 
Explosives Agency is one of the agencies that does that. So if you can 
weaken this Agency--fewer agents, fewer employees, fewer supervisors, 
no Director--then the actual enforcement that is being done by this 
Agency is diminished.
  So, now, President Biden brings us Mr. Chipman. There are two parts 
of his career that should be noted: Over 20 years at ATF, involved in 
some of the most serious investigations, and did an incredible job. 
After he left the ATF, he went to work for a gun safety group. He is 
the first one to tell you: ``I own a gun, and I respect your Second 
Amendment rights and my Second Amendment rights, but I don't want guns 
to get into the hands of the wrong people, and that is how I would run 
the ATF.''
  I think that reflects what the majority of Americans think. Second 
Amendment rights--I honor them, I respect them, they are in the law, 
decided by the Supreme Court in the Heller decision, but when it comes 
to guns--and I look at the wanton violence taking place. I don't want 
guns getting into the hands of convicted felons. No, I don't. I don't 
think they have any Second Amendment right, neither does David Chipman. 
But the people behind the gun lobby, gun industry don't want an Agency 
that actually enforces those laws. They really don't. And so they are 
trying to stop his nomination.
  It may be controversial, but I hope he gets this job. I am going to 
vote for him.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.