April 15, 2025

NSSF Welcomes Robert Cekada as New ATF Deputy Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, welcomes the appointment of Robert Cekada as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Deputy Director Cekada’s appointment was made public today and he brings with him over 30 years of law enforcement experience, including 20 years in various roles within ATF from special agent to Special Agent-in-Charge of Field Divisions in Baltimore and Miami to leadership positions at ATF’s headquarters. Prior to his service with ATF, Deputy Director Cekada served with the New York Police Department, focusing on anti-gang crime and the City of Plantation Police Department in Broward County, Florida, where he served with the Patrol Division and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team.

“Deputy Director Cekada has the experience, wisdom and respect of his colleagues to effectively lead the men and women of the ATF,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Deputy Director Cekada respects the Second Amendment and understands that the firearm industry is not the ‘enemy’ but valuable partner that assists ATF in its core mission of combatting violent crime. Firearm retailers are on the front lines helping to prevent the criminal acquisition of firearms. They are a vital source of information to ATF special agents on illegal straw purchasing of firearms.”

As a Special Agent-in-Charge, Deputy Director Cekada has been on the ground with the firearm industry to promote public awareness to stop these crimes from occurring and has the career history of working with the firearm industry to ensure law-abiding citizens can exercise their Second Amendment rights.

NSSF has partnered with the ATF for 25 years on the Don’t Lie for the Other Guy^TM program, to warn the public that illegally straw-purchasing firearms for someone who cannot legally purchase their own firearm, or does not want to be associated with the sale of a firearm, is a serious federal crime that carries a penalty up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. NSSF also partners with ATF in another program called Operation Secure Store^®, to help improve security at firearm retailers in order to deter or prevent thefts and burglaries of those firearm retailers. As part of that program, NSSF matches ATF reward offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects of those crimes.

“NSSF looks forward to working with Deputy Director Cekada on behalf of the firearm industry and restoring a mutually respectful and constructive dialogue on shared goals that will allow our members to thrive economically and help to make our communities safer,” said Keane.

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About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

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Media contact:
Mark Oliva
202-220-1340

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