By Lee Williams
SAF Investigative Journalism Project
(The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.)
Joe Biden is considering nominating another staunch anti-gunner to head the ATF, according to POLITICO, even though millions of angry American gun owners helped scuttle Biden’s first choice, David Chipman, because of Chipman’s long history of anti-gun advocacy.
Several sources allegedly told the online news site Biden will choose Steve Dettelbach, the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Dettelbach, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully for Ohio Attorney General in 2018, losing to Republican Dave Yost. Dettelbach was endorsed by Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Everytown for Gun Safety.
“Dettelbach is running on a platform that includes strengthening enforcement of gun safety laws in Ohio, and he supports closing the background check loophole and keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. His opponent, Dave Yost, is endorsed by the NRA,” Everytown announced in a 2018 press release. “Everytown is all-in on the midterm elections and gun violence survivors and volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will be knocking on doors and making calls to elect Dettelbach and other gun sense candidates.”
During his campaign for AG, Dettelbach called for reinstating the failed “assault weapon” ban and for universal background checks. He opposed Yost’s plan to arm teachers and school staff who had prior military or law enforcement experience. “I think this is a politician’s plan quite frankly I mean it doesn’t protect people in any meaningful way it’s more than a day late and much more than a dollar short,” Dettelbach told WOSU.
Twitter history
Unlike Chipman, who locked his Twitter account before his nomination process, Dettelbach’s Twitter account is still active. While his tweets are cautious, about what you’d expect from a candidate running for statewide office, Dettelbach clearly expresses frustration over mass murders and his lack of his ability to “do something” about “gun violence.”
On Feb. 1, 2019, Dettelbach tweeted support for a speech by U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman, who addressed crime in Cleveland. “Herdman: Focusing on firearms violence is key,” Dettelbach tweeted.
On Aug. 4, 2019, Dettelbach tweeted a link to a CNN story about a mass shooter in Dayton, Ohio who had opened fire in the city’s nightclub district killing nine people.
“May G-d help all those who are suffering and bless those who responded. But what will WE do here on earth to stop this madness? We must not accept mass murder as the new normal. I sure don’t,” Dettelbach tweeted.
On Jan. 20, 2020, Dettelbach retweeted a tweet from Sandy Hook Promise, which stated: “Sign our petition demanding action to prevent school shootings.”
On Aug. 4, 2019, Dettelbach retweeted a statement from the El Paso sheriff about a mass murder in that border city.
“Read this statement from the El Paso Sherriff. He is rightfully enraged. Who allows madmen such easy access to firearms? Who armed a madman with enough hate that he would kill people just because they were Hispanic? Those people must also be held accountable,” Dettelbach tweeted.
On April 28. 2019, Dettelbach tweeted about a shooting at a San Diego synagogue, which occurred six months after the Tree of Life synagogue shooting and killed one and injured three.
“My heart breaks for all who were terrorized by this senseless hate crime. #TreeofLife was only 6 months ago and now the #PassoverShooting !When are we going to DO something to stop this? WHEN! — 1 killed, 3 injured in synagogue shooting near San Diego,” Dettelbach tweeted.
On Sept. 6, 2018, Dettelbach tweeted, “I want to extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the act of violence that took place in Cincinnati today. We are grateful to our first responders for protecting the lives of so many others and mourn the lives lost today due to senseless gun violence.”
Dettelbach’s tweets also indicate strong support for all major democratic issues and candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Black Lives Matter, restructuring police, and indicting President Donald Trump.
His possible nomination is already raising alarms.
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