A prominent gun violence memorial installed in 2024 under the Biden administration has now been removed from the main atrium of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to The Washington Post’s Perry Stein, the display, known as the “Faces of Gun Violence” memorial, featured about 120 portraits of people killed by firearms, ranging from schoolchildren to police officers, intended as a solemn reminder of the human toll of gun crime.
This quiet but symbolic removal by the Trump administration’s ATF leadership has ignited a fresh wave of debate between gun control advocates and Second Amendment defenders. Some say it’s a cold dismissal of victims’ memories. Others, like constitutional attorney Mark W. Smith, say it’s a much-needed rejection of a political narrative targeting lawful gun owners.
Installed as a Moral Statement, Removed in Silence
The exhibit was unveiled last year by then-ATF Director Steven Dettelbach, a Biden appointee, who said the memorial “tells the stories of the victims of firearms violence” and was meant to inspire ATF personnel. “It reminds us to keep front and center the lives, the stories, and the courage of those who have been impacted by firearms violence,” Dettelbach said during the dedication ceremony.
As Perry Stein reported, many of the victims’ families visited the memorial. It included personal stories on a kiosk alongside the photos. Some inside ATF viewed it as a motivating tribute, but others reportedly found it emotionally difficult, especially those who had served at violent crime scenes.
Trump’s ATF Says the Decision Isn’t Political
According to Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin, the removal “was not political” and that the agency was still “considering different ways to honor the victims.” He added, “The ATF will continue to honor the memory of all victims of violent crime while at the same time preserving the rights of law-abiding Americans,” explicitly referencing the Second Amendment.
That line didn’t go unnoticed. While sounding neutral on its face, it signaled a shift in ATF’s posture – from a moral lens focused on victims, to a constitutional lens focused on gun rights. Mark Smith of the Four Boxes Diner was quick to pick up on that messaging change.
Mark W. Smith: It Was Propaganda, Not a Memorial
Mark Smith, speaking on his YouTube channel The Four Boxes Diner, offered a more scathing interpretation. He described the memorial as “a political statement against guns, against our Constitution, against the Second Amendment.” Smith argued that the term “gun violence” is itself a propaganda phrase, designed to personify firearms rather than hold individuals accountable.
“There’s no such thing as ‘gun violence’ any more than there is ‘knife violence’ or ‘car violence,’” Smith said. He emphasized that the problem lies with criminals and not with inanimate objects like guns. According to him, the memorial sent the wrong message – especially at an agency tasked with regulating but not vilifying lawful gun ownership.
A Message Shift at ATF Headquarters
The memorial once greeted every visitor to ATF headquarters. Its removal speaks volumes about the Trump administration’s intent to redirect the agency’s focus. Smith described this change as “altering the message being sent,” pivoting from Biden’s emotional appeals to a constitutional defense of firearms.
For many pro-Second Amendment advocates, that pivot is long overdue. Under Biden, the ATF expanded regulations and revoked licenses from dealers who allegedly failed background check procedures – policies now being reversed or defunded under Trump. In this context, the removal of the memorial becomes more than symbolic. It’s a brick in the larger wall of restoring gun rights.
Gun Control Advocates Respond: “It’s a Gut Punch”
Not everyone sees the decision as respectful or apolitical. Brenda Haymon Joiner, a member of Brady United and the daughter of a gun violence victim whose photo was featured in the memorial, told The Washington Post, “I was proud to know that his photo at the ATF was a reminder to the agency of who they’re fighting for. Now, for all I know, his photo is sitting at the bottom of a trash can.”
To her and other gun control supporters, this wasn’t about politics – it was about remembrance and empathy. The memorial helped put a human face on what often gets reduced to policy debates. Now, its absence feels like erasure.
The Budget and Structural Shakeup at ATF
The decision comes as the Trump administration prepares to slash the ATF’s budget by nearly one-third – roughly $500 million out of its $1.5 billion annual funding, according to new budget documents cited by Perry Stein. The plan reportedly cuts the regulatory arm of the ATF while preserving gun tracing and trafficking investigations.
In the eyes of critics, this signals a rollback of the ATF’s enforcement role. But for gun rights advocates, it’s a victory against what they see as regulatory overreach. Mark Smith noted that Biden’s ATF focused on enforcing malum prohibitum crimes, technical violations of law without inherent moral wrong, like barrel length or brace configurations. Under Trump, the focus is returning to malum in se crimes, such as murder and robbery.
What’s Being Remembered – and What Isn’t
Smith raised a pointed critique of the memorial’s scope: “As best I can tell… there don’t appear to be any photographs of the victims of ATF overreach at Waco or Ruby Ridge.” He argued that if the goal is to remember all who suffer from gun-related violence, then those affected by government misuse of power should also be included.
His suggestion? A new kind of memorial – one that highlights armed citizens who stopped crime, defended their families, or saved lives. “Put up the photos of people who are still alive thanks to firearms,” Smith urged. He cited examples like the Indiana mall shooter who was stopped by a legally armed civilian.
Messaging Battles Matter More Than They Seem
Smith acknowledged that the removal may seem like a small move to some. “But that’s wrong,” he said. “Every little battle we win builds a wall around our fundamental right to keep and bear arms.” He likened the fight to island-hopping in World War II – one small victory at a time until the war is won.
It’s a striking analogy. In his view, removing the anti-gun message from the ATF lobby is a step toward reclaiming not just gun rights, but the cultural narrative around them.
A 180-Degree Turn in ATF Identity
The Trump-era DOJ is clearly carving out a new identity for the ATF. Gone is the emotional symbolism. In its place: legal restraint, pro-Second Amendment messaging, and a rejection of guilt-by-association between lawful gun owners and violent criminals.
Perry Stein rightly noted that ATF has long been caught in the political crossfire – Republicans often accusing it of overreach, and Democrats pushing it to be tougher on guns. Now, under Trump, it may become more enforcement-lite and rights-forward than ever before.
From Memorials to Mandates
There’s no denying the human tragedy of gun-related violence. But there’s also no denying the power of symbolism in federal spaces. What the ATF chooses to display, or remove, tells us where the nation’s largest gun enforcement agency is headed.
Brenda Haymon Joiner feels her father’s memory is being discarded. Mark W. Smith sees a toxic narrative finally being taken down. And in the middle stands an agency tasked with one of the hardest balancing acts in American governance – protecting both public safety and individual liberty.
Whichever side you’re on, one thing is clear: the messaging war over gun rights just moved to the ATF’s front door – and the sign out front has changed.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.