The news that BATFE head B. Todd Jones was resigning didn't come from a media outlet citing "reliable sources inside the ATF" - although that's exactly where the news originated. It came from industry compliance and legal protection firm FFLGuard in the form of a Thursday-night advisory to its clients. That advisory said Jones was resigning - soon- to "enter the private sector". Normally that's the governmental euphemism for "he got quit" in the private sector, but FFLGuard seems to have been two-for-two on this one. I'm told that Jones will be leaving the ATF for another set of initials: the N-F-L. Yep, the National Football League.

For those of you who are already getting cold sweats at the thoughts of an ATF official making a split-second judgement call, he's not going to officiate, we're told he's going to join their legal department. With the infamous run-ins professional athletes seem to have involving firearms, the NFL is probably smart to add Jones.

The celebration of Jones' departure had already begun among his most vocal critics. Website CleanUpATF had already posted that "Word's starting to swirl that B Todd is haulin' ass soon," wrote Vince Cefalu in a "Grapevine" column. "We told you his lack of investment in ATF would be apparent," he wrote, Jones, according to Cefalu, "came in to tank the agency and leaves when Holder can't protect him anymore."

Won't comment on the accuracy of the "tank the agency" comment, but it's obvious that despite the praise heaped on Jones by the also-departing Attorney General Eric Holder, he has done an abysmal job. Throughout his tenure, the already-embattled agency - with headquarters now referred to as "Fort Fumble"- has shown the only real talent it has is a heavy-handed disregard for due process and the rule of law.

While the industry has been kicking the announcement around with glee, it's obvious that not everyone shares the optimistic viewpoint that with this latest bureaucrat out of the way, something positive in the way of changes in the operations of the ATF will be in store.

"This gives AT another change to clean up its act," said the Citizens Coalition for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) Chairman Alan Gottlieb, but, "based on their past behavior, I still don't have confidence they will now -suddenly- improve their performance."

However, Gottlieb believes this is an opportunity for "Congress to keep the agency on a tight leash."

Why the negativity? Jones, if you'll remember, was named "acting" director in 2011 with a charge that included cleaning up the ATF after Fast & Furious and other agency blunders. None of the hoped for housecleaning happened and the industry began to feel Jones was put into the agency by an administration that had already demonstrated a disdain for firearms owners. That viewpoint was confirmed to many when the agency let word slip they were planning on banning military surplus ammunition for modern sporting rifles.

The latest display of ineptitude and deceit -despite the ATF's attempt to brush the whole firestorm off as a "typographical error" brought more than 80,000 (to date) responses to the proposal and the shaky pronouncement that the ATF was "delaying" their action.

And "delay" in this instance means exactly that. It is decidedly not off the shelf. Nor are other measures designed to impede -or prevent- legal firearms ownership. Already U.S. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) has introduced H.R. 1358, a bill designed to ban civilian use of the same M855 ammunition. It will be dueling bills in the House as Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has introduced H.R. 1365, the "Ammunition and Firearms Protection Act" to prevent the BATFE from ever revisiting their "delayed" M855 reclassification.

What all this means is there's another big battle brewing on Capitol Hill- and it will more than likely focus on the administration's nominee for Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The NRA and other pro-gun organizations have gone on record as opposing her, and conservatives are pointing to what will doubtless be a very close vote as a determining point for Senators facing reelection in the next cycle.

It's clear that a pattern of end-running normal procedures when possible is the norm and not the exception, so it's no wonder that all pro-gun groups are on high alert when it comes to any administrative actions that can be used to make gun ownership tougher.

Later this week, I'll have a report on two items that have been overlooked by gun owners and the industry as a whole that can have a huge impact on both travel with firearms (especially internationally) and the manufacturing of any component parts of firearms.

Yesterday, my great friend Tom Gresham celebrated the twentieth anniversary of GunTalk Radio. His commemorative broadcast included what I'd technically classify as "a bunch" of industry heavy-hitters: Wayne LaPierre, Alan Gottlieb, Ted Nugent, Rob Leatham and others. In two decades, Gresham's never hesitated to take stands against what he considers egregious or unreasonable encroachments on our rights. From his "Truth Squads" with a simple motto: "No lie left unchallenged" to his billboard campaign against ridiculous prosecutions of legitimate gun owners, he's made his program into a force for the Second Amendment.

Now, he's doing something for Alzheimer's research that isn't just professional. Tom lost his dad, Grits, to the disease a few years ago, and he's determined to help advance research into the insidious disease. This year, the Alzheimer's Association's "Longest Day" fundraiser happens to fall on June 21- his dad's birthday. The "Longest Day" refers to the day with the most hours of daylight for that year.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2199130.jpeg> Comic Jay Leo didn't appear at the State of the Industry Dinner, but we've learned some of his cash has appeared in the funds designated to the NSSF's Operation ChildSafe.

Tom's asking shooters to join him in what he calls "the Million Round March" -donating a penny a round (or more) for the AA. In other words, he's using "rounds fired" to raise money for Alzheimer's research. I've contributed, and know many of you would like to take part. http://act.alz.org/site/TR/LongestDay/TheLongestDay?team_id=260562&pg=team&fr_id=6650>Here's the signup page

And finally...news you won't hear anywhere else. Like many of you, I was outraged when entertainer Jay Leno reneged on his scheduled engagement as the headliner at this year's State of the Industry Dinner at SHOT Show. Leno cited concerns from his friends, a significant backlash on Facebook and social media and his own "personal convictions" for his abrupt departure. So.. Bill Engvall was booked to replace him.

The industry was outraged, but what can you do, right? After all, he's a star....

Wrong. You demand payment for damages - that's right, you threaten to sue for breach of contract. Apparently, that's precisely what the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) - the owner of SHOT Show did- quietly- after the cancellation.

Yesterday afternoon, I learned from my sources in the entertainment industry that a settlement was, in fact, reached - also very quietly- a couple of weeks ago.

Leno didn't pay damages, but he didn't simply "skate" on his contract breach.

Rather than take a payment for damages, I'm told by my sources the NSSF allowed Leno to made a "significant" contribution to the NSSF's "Operation ChildSafe."

You heard it here....as a part of our promise: "We'll keep you posted."

-Jim Shepherd