The US Senate confirmed on Tuesday the candidate chosen by Joe Biden to lead the main firearms regulatory agency, which had been without a director for seven years. Steve Dettelbach takes over as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after a series of murders shocked America.

This 56-year-old former prosecutor was confirmed with 48 votes in favor, including two Republicans, and 46 against.

years of obstruction

It will manage 5,000 employees, half of whom are specialized investigators, particularly in ballistics expertise. The agency is also tasked with regulating the weapons industry, which has made it the bane of the powerful lobbyist the National Rifle Association (NRA).

“After years of obstruction by the gun lobby, the Senate has finally confirmed a permanent director at ATF,” Democratic Senator Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

“Although it is not the panacea against the epidemic of firearm violence that prevails in the country,” the arrival of Steve Dettelbach will allow all federal forces to be mobilized against this scourge, he added.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, which lists every incident, more than 23,300 people have been shot to death since the start of the year, including 12,700 by suicide.