Tester Doesn’t Commit To Chipman Vote

With pro-gun organizations going on the attack, the confirmation of David Chipman to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is facing strong opposition.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., was non-committal regarding supporting Chipman during a press conference call on Thursday, July 29.

Tester said his office has received a lot of calls and have seen many editorials, both positive and negative, regarding Chipman’s nomination.

Tester said he’s waiting to make a conclusion once the matter comes to the floor for a vote, which he isn’t sure will happen.

The National Rifle Association opposes Chipman’s nomination, but he has gained the support of some law enforcement groups.

Chipman is a former career ATF employee and was also a gun control activist.

U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., announced that if Chipman is confirmed, Rosendale will introduce articles of impeachment against Chipman for high crimes and misdemeanors based on the grounds found in two distinct articles.

The first article is based on Chipman’s failure to support and defend the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The Second Amendment clearly states that Americans have a right to keep and bear arms. During his career, Chipman lobbied for a gun-control advocacy group where he advised and trained other groups which are supportive of suppressing and erasing the Second Amendment. In his current role as a senior policy advisor, Chipman filed an amicus brief asserting that the Second Amendment does not protect an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of protecting the Second Amendment.

The second article is based on Chipman making false statements to Congress. Following his nomination, in sworn written responses, Chipman falsely answered “No” to questions of whether he ever misplaced or had a firearm stolen. Chipman’s former colleagues recounted a specific instance differently when his service weapon was stolen out of his personal car by a handyman. Rosendale says due to these concerning and credible accounts, the evidence is clear: Chipman is not fit to assume the role of director of the ATF.

“Mr. Chipman is a political hack who has clearly shown that he is not committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States of America,” Rosendale said. “With Mr. Chipman’s nomination to head the ATF, the Biden administration reveals its dangerous and active efforts to suppress Americans’ Second Amendment Rights by barring law-abiding citizens from their right to own a firearm and their right to self-defense. Mr. Chipman is unfit to assume this role, and I will do everything I can to ensure that the federal government will not and cannot erase the Second Amendment.”