Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KA) has reintroduced the Rifle Act, a bill aimed at protecting small gun dealers. Mann says the legislation stems from, what he calls a “weaponized justice system.”
Mann says he has seen this problem firsthand in his home district. He says that small mom-and-pop gun stores are suffering and have become targets of agencies like the ATF.
“We have a few of these that have happened in Kansas where, you know, folks have had a good bill of health for decades, and have somebody walk in... saying I’m going to be here as long as I need to be here to find enough things to shut you down,” Rep. Mann said. “And unfortunately, when these small infractions— when I talk about small infractions, these are clerical errors. These are things like misspelling a middle name on a form... Very, very minor infractions. They find enough myths and nats, they use that to yank their federal firearms license.”
The Rifle Act would require the ATF to work with gun dealers before revoking their licenses. It would also clearly define a willful violation and require a higher burden of proof for the government.
Mann says the other issue is the lack of an appeals process. He is hoping to get the Rifle Act to the President’s desk as soon as possible.