Republicans Accuse ATF of Overreach During Budget Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 25: Former U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 25, 2022 in Washington, DC. Nominated to lead the ATF by President Joe Biden, Dettelback's appointment faces resistance from gun lobby groups like the National Rifle Association, which is holding its annual meeting in Texas days after a gunman slaughtered 19 elementary school children and two teacher in that state. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Steven Dettelbach, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), said his agency trusts local law enforcement to help it conduct firearms traces legally.

“We support police and trust police departments to submit traces when they relate to criminal investigations,” he said.