AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute

I've been scouring the internet for a solution and everything i've come across hasn't helped. So now i turn to you.

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "cardreader.py", line 9, in <module>
    import ATRdb as ATR
  File "/home/pi/Desktop/CardReader/ATRdb.py", line 4, in <module>
    import cardreader
  File "/home/pi/Desktop/CardReader/cardreader.py", line 113, in <module>
    main()
  File "/home/pi/Desktop/CardReader/cardreader.py", line 40, in main
    getData(db)
  File "/home/pi/Desktop/CardReader/cardreader.py", line 98, in getData
    if ATR.checkPerms(db,track1):
AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute 'checkPerms'

I have two files cardreader.py & ATRdb.py

---ATRdb.py has this setup

import sys
import MYSQLdb
import datetime
import cardreader

def checkPerms(db, securitycode):
    try:
       cursor = db.cursor()
       cursor.execute("""SELECT permissions FROM atrsecurity.employee WHERE securitycode = %s""", (securitycode))
       r = cursor.fetchone()
       Permissions = r
       if '3' in Permissions[0]:
          return True
       else:
          return False
     except Exception:
         cardreader.main()
         return False

---cardreader.py has this setup

import sys
import usb.core
import usb.util
import MYSQLdb
import ATRdb as ATR

def main():
    db = MYSQLdb.connect(HOST,USER, PASS, DB)
    print("Please swipe your card...")
    getData(db)
    main()
    db.close()
def getData(db):
    #
    #lots of code to get card data
    #
    if ATR.checkPerms(db, track1):
       print ("User has permission")
       unlockDoor()

i get the error at the "If ATR.checkPerms():" part. Any help would be appreciated (first python project)