By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Robert Leider, chief counsel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who, along with ATF Chief Robert Cekada made history in September by sitting down for an interview at the Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC), has stepped down.
He will return to a position as Assistant Professor of Law at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, according to an ATF announcement.
When news broke Saturday at Ammoland News, speculation quickly erupted, but according to CBS News, Leider will “technically remain employed with the ATF through January until he returns to his teaching post.”
Leider had been directly involved in reforming lots of ATF regulations in what the agency called an effort “reduce unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens and businesses while modernizing regulatory frameworks that no longer reflect current law, agency practice, or court precedent.”
His appearance at the GRPC was unprecedent. It was the first time an official of his stature had appeared at the conference, which is co-sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. The even this year was in Dallas, Texas.
Indeed, it was the first time an ATF director had appeared at the event, and the gun prohibition lobby and some Capitol Hill anti-gunners were very unhappy about the event.
Still, their interview with radio host Mark Walters, host of Armed American Radio, was a crowd pleaser. He was also interviewed at GRPC by Jessica Messineo.
CBS News described Leider as “a staunch supporter of Second Amendment rights (who) did not always see eye to eye with the Justice Department leadership’s legal positions on litigation brought against the ATF by pro-gun groups.”
His announced departure just days before the midterm elections was reportedly not related to the Justice Department’s decision not to appeal a court ruling on the National Firearms Act. Earlier this year a federal court ruled portions of the National Firearms Act unconstitutional.
According to the ATF announcement, “Mr. Leider joined ATF in early 2025 and has served with distinction, supporting the agency’s development and release of more than 40 proposed and final rules, a significant body of work that strengthened ATF’s regulatory framework. We extend our sincere appreciation for his service and wish him every success as he resumes his academic career.”
