Press Release

Attorney General Taylor Pushes Against Expansion of Federal Gun Laws

August 23, 2021

(Anchorage, AK) – Attorney General Treg Taylor argued against a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) proposed rule that would substantially expand federal regulation of firearm parts manufacturers.

The proposal would expand the definition of a receiver, the part of a firearm that houses its firing mechanism. The attorneys general argue the rule would grant ATF unconstitutionally unrestrained discretion over which parts are subject to the regulation.

“The authority to create legislation is in Congress, not federal agencies,” said Attorney General Taylor. “The law is clear that the ATF only has the authority to regulate complete firearms, and not firearm parts, under the Gun Control Act of 1968. The ATF cannot expand its authority through rulemaking.”

The rule is unconstitutional as it would sidestep Congress and unlawfully usurp broad policymaking discretion for ATF – flexibility and authority not already granted to the bureau.
Alaska joined the West Virginia- and Arizona-led comments with attorneys general in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and South Dakota.

• Coalition’s comments - PDF(1.2MB)

# # #

Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.