Government Shutdown Delays Americans’ Access to Gun Purchase

Washington, D.C. — Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Brett Tolman, Chair of Law and Justice, about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) delaying the processing firearm licensing applications during the government shutdown:

“While Washington gridlock continues, the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans are being sidelined. The shutdown has forced the ATF to furlough staff, halting approvals for federal firearms licenses and other legally regulated items. This is leaving Americans waiting indefinitely to exercise their Second Amendment rights because of misplaced priorities in Washington.

Instead of focusing on reopening the government, some radicals in Congress are using the shutdown as leverage to push for taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. The federal government should never prioritize unlawful taxpayer-funded benefits to non-Americans over its own citizens. It’s time that these radicals reopen the government and abide by the Constitution—not their own political games and egos.”