By Laura DeKoven Waxman
November 22, 2010

The White House announced November 15 its nomination of Andrew Traver, currently Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to head the agency. Traver has previously served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the San Francisco and New Orleans Field Divisions. ATFE has had a series of interim directors since its director resigned in 2006. The position is subject to Senate confirmation.

Immediately following the White House announcement, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Co-Chairs of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, commended the President for nominating Traver and said that, "His nomination to this post as America's top cop on illegal guns deserves careful and swift review by the U.S. Senate." Traver's nomination was quickly attacked by the National Rifle Association whose Executive Director issued a statement that, "Traver has been deeply aligned with gun control advocates and anti-gun activities," citing among other things the advisory role he played in the International Association for Chiefs of Police's Gun Violence Reduction Project.

The nomination was sent up November 17. The Senate is not expected to act on it until next year.