Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

What does the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives ATF do? ›

ATF protects the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and the diversion of tobacco products; regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives; and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners.

NRA Scores Legal Victory Against ATF; “Pistol Brace Rule” Enjoined From Going Into Effect Against NRA Members. Fairfax, Virginia – April 1, 2024…

The primary goal of ATF in combating tobacco trafficking is to enforce the federal laws relating to tobacco trafficking of domestically produced and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products, which can have a nexus to violent organized crime, and to protect the revenue of the federal and state governments.

The ATF is a law enforcement organization, not a legislative organization. As such, they are entitled to enforce existing laws, not to change existing laws or create new laws.

The ATF often comes into contact with law-abiding gun owners, and many gun owners find them at their doorstep. Whether it is part of a lost or stolen gun investigation, a private sale of a firearm gone wrong, or suspicious activity—no one wants the ATF to visit them at their home.

ATF's responsibilities include the investigation and prevention of federal offenses involving the unlawful use, manufacture, and possession of firearms and explosives; acts of arson and bombings; and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products.

Two whistleblowers from ATF's human resources office disclosed to OSC that ATF unlawfully provided law enforcement pay and benefits to agents and investigators who filled non-law-enforcement positions, such as in human resources.

There is no Federal registration requirement for most conventional sporting firearms. Only those firearms subject to the National Firearms Act (NFA) (e.g., machineguns, short-barrel firearms, silencers, destructive devices, any other weapons) must be registered with ATF.

ATF is a law enforcement agency in the United States' Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of ...

The FBI is a primary law enforcement agency for the U.S. government, charged with enforcement of more than 200 categories of federal laws. The DEA is a single-mission agency charged with enforcing drug laws. The ATF primarily enforces federal firearms statutes and investigates arsons and bombings.

Can ATF agents make arrests? ›

During these interagency collaborations, ATF special agents interview suspects and witnesses, surveil targets, make arrests, secure and execute search warrants, and search for physical evidence, often with help from ATF's K-9 teams.

As part of the enforcement mission, ATF regularly collaborates with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and Food and Drug Administrations' Tobacco 21 enforcement teams to prevent sales and shipments of Vapes and e-Cigarettes to minors.

ATF has the authority to seize and forfeit firearms, ammunition, explosives, alcohol, tobacco and other assets used in criminal activity under the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture authority.

Under the United States Constitution, only the Legislative branch of the government can create laws. The ATF is an agency of the Justice Department, which is part of the Executive branch, which cannot create laws.

Their work includes search and arrest warrants, high-risk criminal investigations, undercover operations, surveillance operations, and protective service operations. Team members are specially trained ATF special agents who may serve full or part time.

ATF special agents are highly trained, elite law enforcement officers who investigate violations of federal laws and regulations related to the criminal misuse of firearms and explosives, firearms trafficking, acts of arson, and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products.

The Bureau and Law Enforcement

Investigative priorities focus on armed violent offenders and career criminals, narcotics traffickers, narco-terrorists, violent gangs, and domestic and international arms traffickers.

By 1863, tax evasion and organized crime activities have become so widespread that Congress authorizes the hiring of three detectives to investigate alcohol tax evaders. This act is the first coordinated effort between tax collection and law enforcement; the three detectives are the forerunners to today's ATF Agent.

ATF's forensic laboratories analyze trace materials found at crime scenes to generate leads, identify possible suspects and help solve investigations. They are staffed by chemists, biologists, engineers, fingerprint specialists, firearm and toolmark examiners and document analysts.