Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Did ATF Nominee David Chipman Lose his Duty Firearm?

Monday, June 21, 2021

Did ATF Nominee David Chipman Lose his Duty Firearm?

We’ve written quite a bit (here, here, here, here, and here) about how Chipman—a man who has spent the last several years as a high-profile, anti-gun lobbyist—is truly unqualified to serve as Director of ATF. But we haven’t touched on one aspect of his written testimony that has recently come to light in a number of news articles.

Fox News reports that four U.S. Senators—Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Judiciary ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-IA)— each asked, in writing, whether Chipman had “ever misplace(d) or (had) his firearm stolen?”

According to Fox, Chipman replied “to each senator with a definite ‘No.’”

But the article goes on to state that “a Senate staffer said their office has received information suggesting that Chipman’s answer may not be true, and they are still looking into the matter.” It further noted, “A separate source familiar with the allegations told Fox News that ‘Senate staff continue their inquiries about Chipman’s mishandling of service weapons.’”

So, why this curious question from these senators?

Another article, from The Federalist, states that, in spite of Chipman’s denial, “a group familiar with the situation that spoke to his former colleagues told GOP senators they learned differently.”

The article went on to state:

“We were told multiple times by his former colleagues that he had lost his service weapon,” Tom Jones, co-founder of (the American Accountability Foundation), said in an interview. “We shared this information with the Senate, who has taken up the matter. Often a federal employee’s personnel file is made available to the Senate and would clear this and other disciplinary matters up. This week, Chipman refused the Senate’s request to provide his personnel file, which raises questions on this matter and what else he is hiding.”

The ATF stated to Fox News, “There is no record of any of Mr. Chipman’s weapons being lost or stolen.” But the claimed lack of a “record” doesn’t necessarily put the issue to rest.

We have no idea whether the allegation of a lost firearm is true. It’s certainly plausible. And while we strongly support the adage of “innocent until proven guilty,” that doesn’t mean ignore investigating something simply because the accused denies it ever happened.

And, when it comes to Chipman, we’ve seen him say and write things that are demonstrably false in order to promote the anti-gun agenda. So maybe this issue does deserve more scrutiny, rather than just relying on the word of a man desperate to take charge of an agency that could be abused to fulfill all of his personal anti-gun goals.

Was there an allegation or a concern that he had lost a firearm, but an inconclusive investigation meant nothing was officially recorded? Was one temporarily unaccounted for, but after being located, the “record” shows no firearm “lost or stolen”? Even worse, was one actually stolen from him, but later recovered, so the record was “updated” to show no theft?

There must be some nexus to the allegation, but this speculation could all be easily put to rest.

If Chipman would provide his personnel file, that should offer definitive clarification regarding this issue. After all, if he wishes to be head of the federal agency ostensibly in charge of policing our national gun laws, shouldn’t he make sure there are absolutely no questions regarding his ability to police his own firearms? But, as the article from The Federalist alleges, he won’t release his file.

Which begs another question: Why won’t he make his personnel file available?

Wouldn’t it make sense for a former federal law enforcement agent who now wants to head the agency that employed him to release his personnel records?

Again, we are talking about a man who has a history of making anti-gun statements, and promoting anti-gun policies, who wants to head the one federal agency that has the greatest potential impact on the rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners. Shouldn’t we know, for sure, if he has always been responsible when it comes to his own firearms and if he has been completely honest in his responses to Congress?

Gun owners are constantly told that they need to allow the government to have access to information regarding their firearms. David Chipman has been the head lobbyist for groups that have advocated for this by way of licensing and registration schemes for gun owners. Should he not hold himself to the same standards demanded of gun owners?

After all, if he’s got nothing to hide, where is the harm?

IN THIS ARTICLE
David Chipman
TRENDING NOW
Biden’s Executive Order Targeting Gun Ownership

News  

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Biden’s Executive Order Targeting Gun Ownership

On Tuesday, Joe Biden issued an executive order on gun control that could accurately be described as a mile wide and an inch deep.

Columnist thinks gun owners can be shamed out of their rights

News  

Monday, March 20, 2023

Columnist thinks gun owners can be shamed out of their rights

At least one of the joyless scolds that predominate in gun control circles thinks they’ve stumbled onto a novel anti-gun tactic. According to Colorado Newsline Editor Quentin Young, gun control supporters should try to shame gun ...

Updates to ATF Final Rule on Stabilizing Braces

News  

Monday, January 30, 2023

Updates to ATF Final Rule on Stabilizing Braces

On Monday, January 30, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) published the final Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached “Stabilizing Braces” rule for public inspection in the federal register.

U.S. Taxpayers Funding “Red Flag” Gun Confiscation Orders

News  

Monday, March 20, 2023

U.S. Taxpayers Funding “Red Flag” Gun Confiscation Orders

Texans are paying for so-called “Red Flag” gun confiscation orders in New York. North Carolinians are bankrolling Extreme Risk Protective Orders (ERPOs) in New Jersey. Louisianans are footing the bill for gun confiscation orders in Maryland.

Washington: Senate Committee Hearing California-Style Gun Ban & Waiting Period Bills

Friday, March 17, 2023

Washington: Senate Committee Hearing California-Style Gun Ban & Waiting Period Bills

On March 23rd, at 8:00AM, the Senate Committee on Law & Justice will hear House Bill 1240, a comprehensive gun ban bill, and House Bill 1143, to impose a waiting period and training mandate for acquiring ...

Florida: Senate’s Constitutional Carry Passes Committee

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Florida: Senate’s Constitutional Carry Passes Committee

Today, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee voted 11-6 to approve Senate Bill 150, constitutional carry, with an amendment aligning the language with the House’s version. It will now go to the full Senate for further consideration.

Michigan: Senate Passes Gun Control Schemes

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Michigan: Senate Passes Gun Control Schemes

Today, the Senate passed anti-gun bill packages to criminalize private transfers, require firearms be made unavailable for self-defense, and allow Second Amendment rights to be suspended without due process. They will now move to the House for further ...

Washington: Updates on Anti-Gun Bills

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Washington: Updates on Anti-Gun Bills

Three major anti-gun bills still remain active in the Legislature, while others are likely defeated for the session. The NRA provided testimony and strong, united opposition to these bills throughout the legislative process thus far.

The New Mexico Legislature Finishes Its 2023 Regular Session

Sunday, March 19, 2023

The New Mexico Legislature Finishes Its 2023 Regular Session

The New Mexico Legislature wrapped up at noon on Saturday, March 18.  Below is a list of gun control bills which passed and extreme anti-gun legislation which NRA-ILA worked to defeat with pro-Second Amendment lawmakers, members of the firearms ...

Florida: House Judiciary Passes Constitutional Carry

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Florida: House Judiciary Passes Constitutional Carry

Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted 17-6 to advance House Bill 543, the constitutional carry bill. It will now go to the House floor for debate.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.