Pictured are Steve Dettelbach (wearing gray suit), the newly confirmed director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Ohio 11th Congressional District Congresswoman Shontel M. Brown, and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Cleveland

WASHINGTON, D.C - U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown of Cleveland and U.S. Rep. Shontel M. Brown (OH-11), a Warrensville Hts. Democrat whose largely Black 11th Congressional district in Ohio includes Cleveland and several of its eastern suburbs of Cuyahoga County, issued statements after the U.S. Senate last week confirmed Steve Dettelbach as the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

A Cleveland native, Dettelbach's 48-46 confirmation by the Senate makes him only the second Senate-confirmed director in the gun regulatory agency’s history. Republicans Rob Portman, an Ohioan who is retiring at the end of the year and did not seek reelection this year, and Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats, including Sherrod Brown, in voting to confirm Dettelbach.

A former district attorney for the Northern District of Ohio in Cleveland, he was the Democratic party’s nominee for Ohio attorney general in 2018.

“Steve Dettelbach’s confirmation as ATF Director is reassurance that the Biden administration and members of Congress are committed to designating leadership that will have the fortitude to unbiasedly serve and protect our nation, “said Rep. Brown. “Dettelbach fought faithfully for Ohioans to combat extremists, avert hate crimes in our communities, and protect religious freedoms. He is dedicated to responsible gun-ownership and safer communities, and I am certain that he will continue to hold himself as a leader who will uphold the law justly and free from political interference.”

Ohio's most influential Democrat, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who spoke in support of Dettelbach’s confirmation before the Senate, released the following statement:

“There is no better person for the role than Steve Dettelbach – a son of Ohio, and a career public servant with the experience and the record to combat violent crime and keep Americans safe,” said Brown in reciting comments he made on the Senate floor before the confirmation vote. “I can think of no better way to support law enforcement, to reject hate, and to keep Americans safe from violent crime, than for the Senate to confirm Steve Dettelbach as ATF director.”

Congresswoman Shontel Brown, one of two Blacks in Congress from Ohio, added that Dettelbach "has a clear record of fighting for public safety and prosecuting cases against violent offenders including an Indiana man who attempted to burn down the largest mosque in Northwest Ohio, and a convicted arsonist who set fire to the predominantly Black First Azusa Apostolic Faith Church."

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com the most read Black digital newspaper and blog in Ohio and in the Midwest Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.