A group of House Republicans have introduced a resolution to impeach David Chipman, who was nominated to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, just in case he is confirmed by the Senate.
The effort, led by Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., is meant to show moderate senators, including some Republicans, that the GOP will not tolerate a controversial nominee who actively supports radical gun-control policies, Rosendale said.
“The confirmation of David Chipman to the ATF would be a direct threat to the second amendment rights of Americans and the rule of law,” Rosendale said in a statement.
“Not only has Chipman previously given false testimony to Congress, but his statements on gun-control are evidence that his confirmation would be a failure to support and defend our constitutional rights,” Rosendale continued. “If appointed, both are impeachable offenses and worthy of Congress to consider his removal.”
The impeachment resolution includes two articles. The first alleges that Chipman failed to “support and defend” the Second Amendment by advocating for harsh restrictions on gun owners. The second alleges Chipman lied to Congress when he told congressmen he did not lose his service weapon as an ATF agent.
It is still not clear whether Chipman did lose his service weapon as an ATF agent, but at least one congressional staffer confirmed to Fox News that there is verifiable information proving Chipman lied under oath.
Chipman has admitted he supports a wide-ranging “assault-style weapons” ban, and even suggested the ban should apply to other firearms besides the popular AR-15 hunting rifles.
Dozens of House Republicans sent a letter to their Senate colleagues in May urging them to oppose Chipman’s nomination.
“His beliefs and hostile attitude toward the rights of gun owners are well known,” they wrote, adding that Chipman’s confirmation would “threaten the landscape of firearm ownership for generations of Americans to come.”
