"Major Milestone" For BATFE Reform: Space's Legislation Gains Over 200 Cosponsors

Press Release

Continuing his efforts to protect Ohioans' Second Amendment Rights from overzealous government agents, U.S. Rep. Zack Space (OH-18) today announced that his bill to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) has gained 201 cosponsors in the House.

"This is a major milestone toward much-needed BATFE reform," Space said. "Law-abiding citizens should never be unfairly targeted by federal agents just for exercising their Constitutionally-protected rights. We need every defender of gun rights to stand solidly with us in this effort, and I am proud that hundreds of my colleagues in the House have now decided to do so."

At the beginning of the 111th Congress, Space and Rep. Steve King (R-IA) introduced the BATFE Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009, H.R. 2296. The legislation would replace the all-or-nothing rules for punishment with a graduated system, remove promotion guidelines that reward agents for the quantity of arrests and citations, and would require BATFE to establish intent behind minor violations. Under current BATFE regulations, if an applicant writes "y" instead of "yes" on a gun purchase form, the application is frequently rejected.

Specifically, the legislation:

* Creates a system to provide more flexibility in punishing those who are found to have violated gun sales laws.
* Establishes a solid legal requirement for determining the willful violation of the law.
Sets limitations on the availability of electronic gun owner information to protect the privacy of law-abiding citizens.
* Allows security companies and ammunition manufacturers to purchase machine guns for product testing and international security personnel training.
* Eases the restriction on the importation of replacement parts for semiautomatic rifles.
* Directs that a suspension or fine be vacated if a court determines a licensee did not willfully violate the law with attorney's fees awarded to a cleared defendant.
* Directs that the number of warnings, amount of fines, or suspensions or revocations shall not be a factor in firing, promoting, or transferring agents.

Although not identical, the legislation is similar to a bill Space and King introduced during the 110th Congress.

Congressman Space has represented Ohio's 18th Congressional District since 2007. He has been working to restore integrity to the office and create the conditions to bring new industry and jobs to Ohio.

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