Politics
B. Todd Jones becomes the new head of the US Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Gun control advocates backed Jones’ nomination, saying he would strengthen an agency long weakened by congressionally imposed restraints. With a national registry of gun owners forbidden by federal law, authorities face constraints when they want to trace firearms used in crimes.
Many congressional Republicans have been harshly critical of the ATF, especially for its fumbled Fast and Furious Operation aimed at gun-smuggling across the Southwest border. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and others have also complained that Jones’ nomination should not move forward because of whistle-blower complaints against Jones involving his work as U.S. attorney for Minnesota.
Five other Republicans also voted Wednesday to end the blockade against Jones.
When Obama nominated Jones, he seemed to face long odds for winning approval. But the politically potent National Rifle Association said this week that it was neutral about Jones, which even critics of Jones conceded was important.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
