U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, this week voiced his support for the expected resignation of the embattled head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Altmire’s announcement came amid the recent controversy over two ATF operations, “Project Gunrunner” and its offshoot, known as “Fast and Furious.”“In recent years, the ATF has been plagued with problems,” the congressman said. “The fact that an agency responsible for keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals sought to arm known lawbreakers through seriously flawed clandestine operations calls into question Mr. (

Kenneth) Melson’s judgment.”Melson has served as acting director of the ATF since April 2009.He has come under increasing pressure to step down for the ATF’s handling of Operation Fast and Furious, which allowed U.S. guns to be purchased by Mexican gun cartels.The plan was to track guns in an effort to bring down smuggling networks. One of the guns was used to kill a U.S. Border Patrol agent.Melson’s expected resignation comes after a recent letter led by Altmire and cosigned by 30 Democrats that was sent to

President Obama to express serious concerns with the administration’s response to Congressional inquiries into Project Gunrunner and Operation Fast and Furious.“The ATF has been without a permanent director since 2006,” he noted. “The ‘Project Gunrunner’ and ‘Fast and Furious’ debacle has made it clear that this agency needs new leadership that is not only committed to protecting American’s Second Amendment rights, but also open and transparent government.“I am hopeful that Mr. Melson’s resignation will bring a fresh start to the ATF so it can do a better job of following the law and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals.”———The state Senate this week brought real tort reform in Pennsylvania a step closer to reality by approving a measure that links financial liability with responsibility in lawsuit settlements, according to Sen.

Don White, R-41st, a self-proclaimed strong supporter of the legislation.The measure, which addresses “joint and several liability,” is now headed to the state House of Representatives for consideration. The House passed an identical version of the Senate bill in April.“I am pleased Senate Bill 1131 is moving forward,” White said.“We need to restore fairness to the legal system as it currently is a real job creation deterrent in Pennsylvania,” White added. “Defendants in a civil action should be assessed based on their level of responsibility, not the deepness of their pockets.”Current law states that a company found even 1 percent liable in a civil suit can be held 100 percent financially responsible to pay an award.The result, White said, is that litigants often go after companies with “deep pockets,” putting Pennsylvania at an economic disadvantage with regard to attracting, creating and retaining jobs.Under the Senate bill, if a jury finds a defendant is more than 60 percent liable in a claim, they could still be legally responsible for up to 100 percent of the damages. Otherwise, liability is proportional, which means that a defendant can be held responsible for no more than their proportionate share of the damages.For example, a party found to be 5 percent involved would pay no more than 5 percent of the award.