Two House Republicans have introduced a bill to dismantle the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), targeting the Justice Department agency as part of broader GOP efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.

In a joint press release, Representatives Eric Burlison of Missouri and Lauren Boebert of Colorado unveiled their plan to abolish the ATF, criticizing the agency for what they described as a history of “overreach, incompetence, and tragedy.”

They pointed to controversial actions such as the ATF’s rulings on pistol braces and alleged unfair compliance demands on gun store owners as examples of its failure to serve the public.

“The ATF represents the deep-state bureaucracy that consistently infringes on constitutional liberties without accountability,” said Burlison. “If it cannot operate within the boundaries of the Constitution, it does not belong in our government.”

Boebert echoed these sentiments, stating, “The ATF has never been, and never will be, an ally to the Second Amendment or to law-abiding gun owners across America.”

The legislation has garnered support from several Republican lawmakers who have expressed similar concerns about the ATF’s actions and their potential impact on constitutional rights. The proposal is currently under review in the House of Representatives.