John Culberson: “I do understand the gentleman's concern. My constituents and all of us were upset with the ATF's attempt to ban .223…”

“I do understand the gentleman's concern. My constituents and all of us were upset with the ATF's attempt to ban .223 ammunition, but they did the right thing: they withdrew the ammo ban after I had a heart-to-heart with them. By doing the right thing, I think we should reward good behavior. I am monitoring them very closely. We have spending plan language in our bill that allows the subcommittee to have ongoing oversight over not only the ATF and Department of Justice, every agency under our jurisdiction has to submit a spending plan to us that is then subjected to careful ongoing oversight throughout the year; and if we cut ATF by $250 million, they are not able to do all the important work that they are now engaged in, and it would really devastate the agency. {time} 2000 There are a lot of dedicated law enforcement officers in that agency that are doing their very best to fight gangs and violent criminals. We have visited with the folks at ATF. They are not concerned about law-abiding citizens or a gun dealer who is following the law. They are focused on the criminal element in the country. So I would encourage Members, and I would be happy to work with you and share with you the ongoing oversight work that I am doing. I encourage you to visit with the new ATF Director. He is a very impressive man: a marine and a lifelong law enforcement officer who did the right thing here. The agency is devoted to protecting Americans' Second Amendment rights.…”