Gun Owners of America (GOA) today issued a statement thanking Kash Patel for his steadfast leadership and service during his tenure as Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). During his time in office, Patel played a pivotal role in restoring constitutional integrity to the agency — including abolishing the Biden-era Zero Tolerance Policy, which had targeted lawful gun dealers over minor paperwork errors.

The repeal of this policy marked a critical win for gun owners and firearms retailers across the country. Gun Owners of America worked tirelessly to challenge the Zero Tolerance framework through litigation and advocacy, and Kash Patel’s decisive action sent a clear message: bureaucratic harassment of gun owners and FFLs will no longer be tolerated.

GOA remains committed to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens and will closely follow the direction of the new ATF leadership to ensure that heavy-handed enforcement policies do not return.

Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: “We’re incredibly grateful to Kash Patel for standing up for the Constitution and restoring accountability at the ATF. His decision to end the Zero Tolerance Policy was a long-overdue course correction, and we thank him for defending the rights of law-abiding gun owners and dealers. GOA will continue to be vigilant as new leadership steps in.”

Tim Macy, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: “Kash Patel’s leadership proved that principled reform is possible. On behalf of millions of Second Amendment supporters nationwide, we thank him for his courage and clarity. Gun Owners of America looks forward to engaging with the new Director and continuing our work to ensure the rights of gun owners are protected against regulatory overreach.”

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.