Trump Urged to Seriously Reconsider ATF Appointee

Howard Gatch, host of the gun rights YouTube channel Hegshot87, has issued a strong warning to President Donald Trump regarding a top-level appointee at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In a recent video titled Trump Has to Address this NOW for Gun Owners, Gatch called on Trump to reconsider the role of Robert Leider, the ATF’s Chief Counsel, who Gatch believes is quietly advancing anti-Second Amendment policies under the guise of pro-gun advocacy.

Robert Leider: A 2A Ally – Or Just Playing the Part?

According to Gatch, Leidr presents himself as a supporter of the Second Amendment, having graduated from the Antonin Scalia Law School and voiced respect for gun rights. But recent decisions have raised serious doubts. Specifically, Leider reportedly supported the ATF’s move to regulate Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs) as though they were fully automatic weapons. This, Gatch argues, shows a fundamental misunderstanding, or misrepresentation, of the Second Amendment’s purpose.

Forced Reset Triggers: A Flashpoint in the Debate

Forced Reset Triggers have become a controversial accessory in the gun world. As Gatch explains, these devices don’t alter the gun’s mechanics or turn it into a machine gun. Instead, they help speed up firing by pushing the shooter’s finger forward to reset the trigger. “You still pull the trigger once for every shot,” Gatch stressed. Yet Leider reportedly watched these devices at a live range demo and decided they should be treated like machine guns, despite their clear difference from automatic firearms.

A Dangerous Precedent for Regulating Accessories

One of Gatch’s strongest concerns is the principle behind Leider’s stance. If an accessory that doesn’t change how a firearm works can be regulated as a machine gun, what’s next? “Why would there be more regulation on an accessory than an actual gun?” Gatch asks. He warns this logic could be used to justify restrictions on everything from stabilizer braces to high-capacity magazines, not based on function, but fear and optics.

What Does the Second Amendment Actually Mean?

Throughout the video, Gatch returns to a central question: What is the Second Amendment for? For Leider, Gatch says, it’s largely about personal self-defense. But Gatch counters that the Founders had a much broader vision – defending against tyranny. “If the Second Amendment is just about defending yourself from criminals,” he notes, “then you’re missing half the reason it exists.” He insists the right to bear arms must include parity with government forces in case of abuse or authoritarianism.

Using ‘Public Safety’ as a Trojan Horse

Gatch also warns against the use of “public safety” as justification for gun restrictions, noting that this language is often used to disguise gun control efforts. “That’s what Democrats say every time,” he says. “‘In the name of safety, we need to ban this gun.’” But as he points out, freedom always carries some risk. If safety becomes the sole priority, then rights, especially the Second Amendment, will be chipped away until they disappear entirely.

Leider’s Record Contradicts His Reputation

Despite being hailed in some circles as a constitutional conservative, Leider’s actions suggest otherwise. Gatch cites his support for regulating FRTs and his comments on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as proof that he’s “lukewarm at best” on gun rights. Even though Leider has questioned whether some laws go too far, Gatch says that’s not enough. “He’s not openly fighting against them. He’s compromising. And that’s not what we need.”

A Strategic Threat to 2A Progress

Gatch believes that Leider’s influence inside the ATF poses a serious threat to pro-gun efforts. As Chief Counsel, Leider has the ability to draft new rules, interpret laws, and recommend enforcement strategies. That kind of power in the hands of someone who supports expanded regulation of gun accessories, Gatch says, could undo much of the progress made under Trump’s first administration. “All it takes is one kink in the chain,” he warns, “and we may never get those rights back.”

Why Trump Needs to Act Now

The video calls on President Trump to take decisive action and remove Leider from his role. Gatch doesn’t mince words: “Trump should absolutely fire this guy immediately.” With so much on the line for gun owners, Gatch argues there’s no room for half-measures or political fence-sitting. The Second Amendment community has a rare opportunity to reclaim lost ground, but it could all be undermined by one influential insider.

This Isn’t Just About One Person

While the focus of Gatch’s video is on Robert Leider, the underlying message goes deeper. He says gun owners face this kind of deception in every election cycle: politicians and officials who say they support gun rights, but compromise when it matters most. “Every time someone says, ‘I’m pro-2A, but,’ that’s the problem,” Gatch says. “That’s the signal right there that they’re going to fold.”

Vetting Must Go Beyond Rhetoric

Watching Gatch’s breakdown, one thing becomes clear – being “pro-2A” isn’t just about what someone says, but what they do. Plenty of officials wave the Second Amendment flag while quietly endorsing restrictions. Leider’s decisions, especially on FRTs, reveal a willingness to regulate rather than resist. If President Trump is serious about championing gun rights in 2025 and beyond, he’ll need to surround himself with people who share, not just tolerate, that vision.

A Test for Trump’s Second Term Priorities

Howard Gatch’s video raises urgent questions not just about Robert Leider, but about how Second Amendment supporters should judge their leaders. With the ATF’s power to regulate and redefine gun ownership, appointees like Leider aren’t just paper-pushers – they’re power brokers. Gatch believes this moment demands clarity and courage from Trump. If gun rights are truly a top priority, then those entrusted with shaping policy must reflect that fully and without compromise.