WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement critical of a proposed “emergency rule” by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to require federally licensed firearms retailers to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles. The proposed rule was included in today’s Federal Register and specifically calls for firearm retailers to report multiple sales, or other dispositions, of two or more .22 caliber or larger semi-automatic rifles that are capable of accepting a detachable magazine and are purchased by the same individual within five consecutive business days.

“While we’ve managed to stop gun control efforts in Congress, the Obama Administration wants to circumvent the legislative process altogether in order to force its anti-gun policies on the American people.  Beyond the economic burden of more paperwork for gun dealers, this rule is predicated on the incorrect assumption that buying multiple guns is a questionable activity that warrants a red flag for government attention.  This is the exact mindset that proponents of the Second Amendment feared when an anti-gun Chicago politician moved into the White House.  I’ll keep fighting to make sure the federal government respects all of our Constitutional rights.”