ATF Chief Lawyer Robert Leider Leaves Agency, Returning to George Mason University

Cekada announces Leider’s departure

ATF Director Robert Cekada announced Friday that Chief Counsel Robert Leider was stepping down. Cekada said he had accepted Leider’s resignation and that Leider would return to George Mason University.

Cekada described Leider as a trusted adviser who led the agency’s legal and policy work. He thanked him for his service and wished him well at the university.

Role in regulatory changes

Leider assisted ATF in presenting broad regulatory reforms, including new guidance about items covered by the National Firearms Act. The changes were intended to comply with an August federal court decision.

Leider reflects on his service

In a post responding to Cekada, Leider said he had enjoyed serving ATF employees and advancing the administration’s efforts to protect the Second Amendment. He praised Cekada, calling him a generational talent restoring ATF to its core mission while protecting Second Amendment rights.