The director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) under President Joe Biden has put forth his resignation, inciting a range of feelings within pro-Second Amendment circles.

Steven Dettelbach has signaled his resignation as head of the ATF, set to take effect on Jan. 18, 2025, two days before Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term, as Breitbart reports.

Dettelbach submitted his resignation on Dec. 20. His exit will be marked just two days before Trump is sworn in, sending a clear message to the incoming leadership.

His decision received no delay in attracting attention, stirring reactions across different camps.

Resignation Applauded by Gun Rights Groups

To the surprise of some, this move was lauded by organizations promoting gun rights. One such group, the Firearms Policy Coalition, greeted the news with enthusiasm.

In its statement, the group acknowledged the director's departure, saying, “ICYMI [in case you missed it]: ATF Director Steve Dettelbach has tendered his resignation, effective Jan 18th. It’s a great start to 2025.”

In a similar tone, The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) also expressed its assent. Echoing the sentiments of the Firearms Policy Coalition, the group saw this as a positive development, communicating its satisfaction publicly

CCRKBA's Message to Incoming President

CCRKBA took the conversation further by presenting its expectations to the incoming administration. Chairman Alan Gottlieb shared his view, saying, “That’s one less person Trump will have to fire after he takes office, and it is one less gun prohibition lobbyist on the government payroll.”

He advised President-elect Trump that the next ATF director should “run the agency, not politicize it.”

The resignation has set off a discourse about Dettelbach's direction of the ATF. Significant concerns revolve around accusations of the agency's politicization under his leadership.

During his tenure, the ATF released a set of gun control measures without the need for congressional approval.

Dettelbach's Tactical Measures -- A Deep Dive

Among these points of contention was the unilateral establishment of universal-style background checks during Dettelbach's administration.

Additionally, Dettelbach introduced new regulations concerning so-called ghost guns, an action not well-received by some gun rights supporters.

With a change in administration on the horizon and Dettelbach's resignation, observers are eager to see who will steer the ATF forward.

Given the diverging principles between President Biden and President-elect Trump, particularly on gun control matters, the transition is poised to chart a new course for the organization.

Next Chapter for the ATF

Looking back, Dettelbach’s time at the helm of the ATF is viewed differently by the Biden administration and gun rights factions.

All involved parties interested in firearms, legislation, and public safety will be on edge for the announcement of Trump's appointment as the ATF director.

Will the successor walk in Dettelbach's path -- promulgating new regulations and checks, or will they steer the ship in a completely different direction? As of now, Dettelbach's resignation opens a void filled with both criticism and hope, igniting a new phase in the gun rights story under the forthcoming Trump era.