Committee Passes Carson’s Rios ATF Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved abill introduced by Rep. André Carson (IN-07) to name the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Headquarters in Washington as the Ariel Rios Federal Building.

ATF agent Rios, 28, was murdered by drug traffickers in 1982. He was the first ATF agent killed by hostile action.

“Naming the ATF headquarters after Ariel Rios is an important symbolic reminder of risks faced by ATF’s front line agents and their ongoing service to our country,” said Rep. Carson. “As a former law enforcement officer, I believe this important recognition of Ariel Rios will serve as a tribute to every frontline law enforcement officer past, present, and future.”

This remedy is overdue, considering the old ATF headquarters was named after Rios in 1985. In 2007, when ATF moved to a more secure location, Congress never named the new building after the fallen agent.

Carson’s bill is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives soon.

To see the full statement –click here