CANYON COUNTY — Congressman Bill Sali Tuesday demanded that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives provide answers regarding the demise of its “Always Think Forfeiture” campaign.

Sali released information last week saying ATF had dropped the slogan after Sali’s office passed on a complaint about the motto. But an Associated Press report this week said ATF officials said the slogan had been dropped in March because of previous complaints.

Sali’s office cited a letter it received from ATF stating that because of concerns from “your constituents,” ATF dropped the logo.

“The [B]ATF appears to be giving two conflicting versions of the facts,” Sali said in a Tuesday press release. “I have concerns if these reports are true. I relied on the response provided to my office. A federal agency should be able to provide straight, consistent answers.”

Sali also wrote in a letter to acting ATF director Michael J. Sullivan that “I note that these conflicting versions of the facts have not only damaged my credibility, but that of your office as well.”

Last week Sali touted his role in the bureau’s decision. But according to an Associated Press story that was published in the Idaho Press-Tribune, aides to the first-term congressman said Monday they didn’t know the slogan had been abandoned two months before their complaint was sent.

But John Foster, spokesman for the campaign of Democrat Walt Minnick, who is running for Sali’s seat, said Sali is just trying to cover up for his mistake.

“Sali made a mistake and he’s blaming others,” Foster said. “That’s what’s wrong with Washington, D.C.”

By law, the ATF can seize firearms, ammunition, explosives, alcohol, tobacco, money and certain real property if such items are involved in breaking the law. The “Always Think Forfeiture” slogan, a play on the ATF initials, had been in use for more than a decade on materials for training classes across the United States to increase awareness for officers about forfeiture laws.

In March, before the ATF abandoned the slogan, gun-dealer Web sites featured comments from people concerned it could prompt overzealous seizures.

The ATF declined to identify others who complained before Sali. But some of the original complaints about the slogan were lodged in March by constituents with U.S. Reps. Baron Hill, D-Ind., and Robert E. Latta, R-Ohio, according to the Web site www.congress.org.

- The AP contributed to this report.