In a major shakeup that has left Washington stunned, Marvin Richardson, the long-serving Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has resigned under pressure. As first reported by Reuters journalists Sarah N. Lynch and Andrew Goudsward, Richardson – who has been with the agency for 35 years – was reportedly given an ultimatum: resign or be removed. He chose to walk away, bringing his decades-long career to a sudden halt.
Richardson had held the position of deputy director since 2019 and even served as acting director from June 2021 to April 2022. According to Reuters, his departure comes in the wake of another high-level leadership change – Kash Patel’s removal as acting ATF director, replaced abruptly by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll.
Pressure from the Top: Trump’s Role in the Shakeup
The Trump administration has made no secret of its desire to overhaul the leadership at federal agencies like the ATF. According to Jared Yanis of Guns & Gadgets, President Donald Trump “cut the head off of the ATF snake” by forcing Richardson to retire. Yanis explains that Richardson arrived at work as deputy director and left that same morning unemployed, a clear indication of how fast and forceful the decision was executed.
Yanis refers to Richardson’s departure as “the most pro-2A or anti-ATF move” yet under the current administration, highlighting how this leadership change may alter the agency’s course moving forward. Richardson’s legacy, particularly regarding firearm regulation, had drawn significant criticism from gun rights advocates, many of whom welcomed the change.
A History of Controversy: Richardson’s Record
As noted by both Reuters and Guns & Gadgets, Richardson played a key role in several controversial ATF policies. Most notably, he was at the center of efforts to regulate pistol braces and privately manufactured firearms – frequently referred to as “ghost guns.” Under his leadership, the ATF issued cease-and-desist letters to companies like Q LLC over products like the Honey Badger pistol, which the agency reclassified as a short-barreled rifle.
Yanis adds that this move came despite internal pushback and even defied directives from the Trump-era Justice Department, which had previously instructed the ATF not to pursue pistol brace regulation. Richardson’s firm stance on these matters created tension not only within the agency but also with gun owners across the country.
Secret Meetings and Political Fallout
One of the most contentious moments in Richardson’s tenure, according to Yanis and Four Boxes Diner host Mark W. Smith, involved a covert meeting between Richardson and President Biden’s transition team in 2020. At the time, Trump was still president, and this meeting occurred without his knowledge. Smith refers to Richardson as “a deep state creature,” accusing him of collaborating with the incoming Biden team to plot out future firearm restrictions.
Smith emphasizes that Richardson’s attitude toward pistol braces – viewing them as a “loophole” in the National Firearms Act – reflected his broader opposition to pro-gun interpretations of the law. From Smith’s perspective, Richardson’s departure is “great news” because it clears the way for leadership that aligns more closely with constitutional protections of gun ownership.
Other Departures: Chief Counsel and Acting Director
Richardson’s resignation is part of a broader pattern. Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi removed ATF’s chief counsel Pam Hicks. As reported by Reuters, Bondi later said during a Fox News interview that she fired Hicks because she believed officials at the ATF were “targeting gun owners.”
In her place, the administration appointed Robert Leider, a law professor from George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School with a strong Second Amendment background. Mark W. Smith celebrated this replacement as a strategic win for gun rights advocates, praising Leider’s credentials and experience as a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Dan Driscoll Steps In
With both Patel and Richardson gone, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is now acting as the ATF’s new director – while still maintaining his duties at the Department of the Army. Yanis notes that Driscoll, a former congressional candidate from North Carolina, has a history of voting along party lines on gun issues, suggesting he may be more supportive of Second Amendment rights than his predecessors.
Smith also appears optimistic about Driscoll’s leadership, referencing supportive comments made by Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. However, some observers remain cautious, waiting to see whether Driscoll’s actions will reflect pro-gun rhetoric.
Merging Agencies? A Bigger Reform on the Table
One of the more surprising revelations in Reuters’ reporting is that senior Justice Department officials are now considering a full merger of the ATF with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This dramatic move would be aimed at reducing costs and potentially restructuring federal firearms enforcement altogether.
Such a merger could signal a major philosophical shift, especially if the goal is to strip ATF of its independent enforcement power. According to Smith, this could lead to a smaller, more paperwork-focused agency, with true law enforcement duties handed off to groups like the FBI.
Shrinking the ATF’s Power
In his video, Smith argues that the ATF’s law enforcement authority should be entirely removed. He believes that the agency should not have powers to arrest, carry firearms, or operate as a police force. Instead, he suggests turning the ATF into a civil regulatory office – something akin to a federal version of the DMV.
This position is rooted in the belief that the ATF, in its current form, has too much unchecked authority and a troubling track record, citing historical controversies like Waco and Ruby Ridge. Whether this dramatic restructuring will happen remains unclear, but it’s a conversation now gaining steam.
A Welcome Change for Gun Owners
Both Yanis and Smith agree that Richardson’s removal represents a pivotal win for gun rights supporters. They describe it as a sign that the Trump administration and Attorney General Bondi are serious about reining in what they see as government overreach. The replacement of Hicks with Leider and now the exit of Richardson sends a message that pro-Second Amendment leadership is being prioritized.
It’s rare to see this kind of clean sweep in a federal agency. Longtime career officials like Richardson often outlast political cycles. But with Trump’s second term in full swing, personnel changes like these suggest a more aggressive approach to restructuring.
A Strange but Telling Moment
It’s fascinating how quickly all of this happened. One day you have a deeply entrenched official walking into the office with decades of experience, and the next he’s out – no press conference, no farewell, just gone. That kind of turnover speaks volumes. It’s not just about policy; it’s about control. When leadership doesn’t reflect the goals of the administration, especially on hot-button issues like guns, expect rapid changes.
Also worth noting: this isn’t just a firing. It’s a full philosophical pivot. We’re seeing a deliberate effort to realign federal gun enforcement with a vision that favors individual rights over sweeping regulatory powers. Whether you agree with that or not, it marks a turning point.
What Comes Next?
The real question is where the ATF goes from here. Merging with the DEA? Operating without police powers? Becoming a smaller agency that just processes forms? These aren’t small changes – they’re existential. Richardson’s exit might be just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a signal that the ATF, as we know it, could be on its way out – or at least heading toward major transformation.
Whether this shift will ultimately restore public trust or create new problems remains to be seen. But either way, it’s a big story, and it’s only just getting started.
A Dramatic Leadership Shift
With the exits of Marvin Richardson and Pam Hicks, and the appointment of figures like Daniel Driscoll and Robert Leider, the ATF is undergoing one of its most dramatic leadership shifts in years. Reuters, Guns & Gadgets, and Four Boxes Diner have all played key roles in tracking these events and making them accessible to the public.
What’s clear is this: change is here, and it’s moving fast. Whether this transformation leads to a more balanced approach to firearms policy – or fuels even greater political divide – is a story that’s still unfolding. One thing’s certain: the days of quiet leadership at the ATF are over.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.