ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 13: Chris Patrie looks at the Benelli display of shotguns during the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits April 13, 2012 at the America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the convention, which runs through Sunday. Republican presidential candidates former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum are all scheduled to speak. (Photo by Whitney Curtis/Getty Images)
After the Senate confirmed him last week, President Joe Biden’s pick for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Steven Dettelbach, assumed his office this week.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said that the conformation of Dettelbach was paramount to the future of gun safety in America. “Another important step in protecting Americans from violent gun crimes,” Brown said. “Steven M. Dettelbach understands that politics must play no role in running the ATF. His experience and record bear that out.”
Dettelbach was the attorney general of Ohio for six years during President Barack Obama‘s administration. He was confirmed by the Senate in a 48-46 vote. Though opposition to Dettelbach was high initially, the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York softened Republican opposition.
Dettelbach was Biden’s second pick after several senators blocked Biden’s first nominee.
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