On Capitol Hill, senators held a hearing for David Chipman, President Biden’s nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Chipman served at the ATF for two decades and has advised gun control groups. He faces intense opposition from Republican lawmakers for his pro-gun-control stance. This is Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley.

Sen. Chuck Grassley: “Many see putting a command — committed gun control proponent like Mr. Chipman in charge of ATF is like putting a tobacco executive in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services or antifa in charge of the Portland Police Department.”

Republicans blasted Chipman for supporting a ban on the AR-15 assault rifle — the most popular rifle in the United States. Chipman defended his position on gun control even as he pledged to enforce existing gun laws.

David Chipman: “The AR-15 is a gun I was issued on ATF’s SWAT team, and it’s a particularly lethal weapon. And regulating it as other particularly lethal weapons, I have advocated for. As ATF director, if I’m confirmed, I would simply enforce the laws on the books. And right now there is no such ban on those guns.”