US ATTORNEY Michael Sullivan has taken an even-handed approach toward reducing the use of illegal firearms while still respecting the constitutional right to bear arms. But that's not good enough for some Republican US senators who have fallen under the sway of the gun lobby and are blocking his confirmation as head of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Senator David Vitter of Louisiana is leading the charge against Sullivan. Vitter believes that the ATF holds gun dealers and owners to unreasonable licensing standards. And he lacks confidence that Sullivan will address his concerns. ". . . So I am going to hold this nominee," he said in a statement to the Globe. It's not an idle threat. A single senator can put a hold on legislative action for months.
The only unreasonable position here is Vitter's groundless attempt to undermine Sullivan. Guns used to commit crimes are often stolen, trafficked, bought off the books, or obtained from kitchen-table sellers, gun shows or corrupt dealers. Sullivan has mounted an attack on these weapons, not the Second Amendment.
After President Bush appointed him US attorney in 2001, Sullivan crafted good working relations with state and local law enforcement agencies. His efforts are consistent with Bush's Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, proving he can walk the line between politics and law enforcement. If anything, that skill has increased since his appointment as acting director of the ATF in September 2006. He is well-qualified by experience and temperament to take the permanent post.
Sullivan is under suspicion for having the courage at his Senate confirmation hearing to suggest that the ATF should share more of its data. The agency maintains an excellent database that checks guns used in crimes against purchase records of federal licensees. Until 2003, the agency encouraged police and municipalities to use the data to scrutinize gun dealers with histories of supplying illegal markets. It led to effective gun enforcement strategies. But the National Rifle Association, working with US Representative Todd Tiahrt, Republican of Kansas, stripped the trace data from the public domain.
Bush's backing of Sullivan may suggest a growing awareness of the link between the easy availability of guns and the ongoing carnage. Bush recently signed a law that gives incentives to states to improve background check systems. That should help to keep guns out of the hands of some dangerous people. But the greater need is to close the gun show loophole that allows convicted felons, domestic abusers, and dangerously mentally ill people to walk into gun shows and buy weapons from unlicensed private sellers without background checks.
Sullivan is a Republican who has the gun lobby's number. That's his only crime.
