A major shake-up just hit the ATF, and according to Washington Gun Law President William Kirk, it’s a big win for lawful gun owners.

Pam Bondi, the newly sworn-in Attorney General, has just hired Professor Robert Leider as Assistant Director and Chief Counsel of the ATF.

While Bondi’s tenure has drawn skepticism from the Second Amendment community, Kirk believes this move could signal major changes ahead—and for once, they might be good ones.

Who Is Robert Leider and Why Does This Matter?

For anyone unfamiliar with Robert Leider, Kirk lays out exactly why this hire is a major development.

• Leider holds a law degree from Yale, a PhD from Georgetown, and an undergraduate degree from George Washington University.
• He has clerked at the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
• Most importantly, he’s a staunch Second Amendment advocate and has written extensively on firearm laws.

This isn’t some bureaucratic pencil-pusher looking to expand the ATF’s overreach. In fact, just last year, Leider wrote a piece titled:

“Gun Rights Advocates Would Benefit More From ATF Reform Than the Agency’s Elimination.”

That’s exactly what Kirk and many in the pro-2A community have been discussing for years. Instead of outright abolishing the ATF (which would just shift its powers to another federal agency like the FBI), a major restructuring could actually protect gun rights better in the long run.

Wow. A second piece of good news from the DOJ today. This one could be HUGE.

The addition of 2A Attorney and Legal Scholar Robert Leider (@LeiderRob) to this key role under @FBIDirectorKash could be a sign that the ATF’s continued anti-gun litigation is about to come to an end. pic.twitter.com/PeUTcpctyh

— National Association for Gun Rights (@NatlGunRights) March 19, 2025

What This Means for the Future of the ATF

So, does this mean the ATF is going away? Kirk is clear: probably not.

Instead, this hire suggests the agency could be undergoing serious changes, possibly even downsizing. A “partially neutered” ATF, as Kirk puts it, might be far better than one running wild with executive overreach.

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More importantly, Leider’s legal background makes him uniquely qualified to handle the litigation surrounding federal gun laws.

His work at the Supreme Court and appellate levels means he understands exactly how gun cases play out in court, which could help curb some of the ATF’s worst abuses against lawful gun owners.

🚨BREAKING🚨

Robert Leider, a Scalia Law professor & Second Amendment legal expert, has officially replaced Pamela Hicks as ATF’s new Chief Counsel. https://t.co/Z5BboQaOFV pic.twitter.com/qqZGsMpZ55

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) March 19, 2025

A Rare Win for Gun Owners Under Bondi’s Leadership

Kirk acknowledges that many gun rights advocates remain skeptical of Bondi—and with good reason. But he argues that this is, without a doubt, one of the best moves she could have made.

Yes, there are still big questions surrounding Bondi’s leadership. Yes, we’re still waiting on Trump’s executive order summaries and other pro-2A commitments. But for today, Kirk says, let’s give credit where it’s due:

“This is an extremely, extremely good hire.”

What’s Next?

While this move doesn’t immediately solve all the ATF’s problems, it does suggest that the agency may be headed in a different direction. And for gun owners who have been fighting federal overreach for years, that’s a step in the right direction.

Washington Gun Law promises to keep a close eye on what happens next. As Kirk puts it, the jury’s still out on Bondi, but this could be the first real sign of meaningful ATF reform.

For now, gun owners should stay informed, engaged, and ready to fight for their rights.

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