A recent DOJ proposal explored the idea of merging the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and the BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, also known as ATF) into a single super agency. The proposal states the following:
To most successfully, effectively, and efficiently continue the fight to eradicate the designated cartel foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and seek to eliminate violent crime, ATF will be incorporated into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), addressing both drug and gun crimes. This transition will be initiated in FY 2026 and achieve efficiencies in resources and case deconfliction.
Sounds good, right?
What it Means
Shortly after this announcement, pro-gun advocacy groups issued vehement statements condemning the combination. The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) expressed it strongly:
By merging the ATF’s firearms enforcement authority into the DEA, the DOJ is effectively equating peaceable American gun owners with drug cartels, turning millions of law-abiding citizens—as well as their constitutionally protected weapons—into co-equal targets of a militarized federal enforcement regime.
FPC and many other groups argue that a combined agency would pose a bigger, more militarized threat to law-abiding citizens, and that an agency meant to target drug cartels and gangs shouldn’t be harassing everyday citizens.
Gun Owners of America took this a step further by sending a detailed joint coalition letter to the White House and the DOJ, where they outlined twelve reasons the merger “represents an unprecedented threat to gun rights.” Some of those reasons are as follows:
- ATF Access to DEA Resources Would More than Triple the Gun-Control Budget.
- A Merger Would Militarize More Federal Agents Against Law-Abiding Americans.
- ATF Would Gain Unprecedented Intelligence and Surveillance Capabilities.
- Blurring the Lines Between ATF and More Popular Agencies Would Insulate ATF from Criticism.
(To read the complete list, check the letter out here.)
Zooming Out
A merger could be both disastrous and harmful to gun owners and 2A advocates. However, such a change likely requires congressional approval. Yet, Attorney General Pam Bondi argues that the DOJ doesn’t. A political battle is brewing as members of both parties clash over these issues. Some will say it negatively impacts Second Amendment rights, while others will oppose executive overreach. As of now, the merger is expected to begin in 2026.
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