ATF’s Acting Chief Fails Miserably On Camera

In 2022, the Biden administration took a tough stance on what are known as “ghost guns,” which are untraceable firearms fabricated at home using kits or 3-D printers. The director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) faced an awkward situation when attempting to showcase how simple it was to assemble these weapons.

Chris Bort and ATF Director Steven Dettelbach appeared on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on March 3 to address the issue of ghost guns. The segment began with the participants standing in front of a table containing numerous firearms. Bort attempted to dismantle what seemed to be a Glock pistol but encountered difficulty in removing the slide from the frame. After struggling, he abandoned the attempt and moved on to another firearm, which he promptly disassembled with ease.

Following that, Bort picked up a plastic frame, claiming it was a ghost gun assembled by someone. He asserted that with only 20 minutes of effort, it could be transformed into a functional firearm. Despite his efforts, Bort struggled to fit the slide onto the plastic frame, eventually giving up and placing the gun back on the table.

During the interview, Dettelbach explained to the reporter that the ATF lacks the authority to mandate gun sellers to regulate the sale of firearm components. Meanwhile, as the director spoke, Bort casually attempted once more to disassemble the Glock pistol he had struggled with earlier, yet again without success. Eventually, he passed it to an individual off-camera.

Following the video’s release on X, formerly known as Twitter, conservatives reacted to it. One user expressed disbelief, stating that it was absurd for Bort to lead the agency’s Firearms Ammunition and Technology Division given his apparent lack of knowledge regarding pistol disassembly.

The ATF has refrained from providing any comments on the situation.