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ATF (Wikipedia)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), commonly referred to as the ATF, is a domestic law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. Its 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 and tax evasion of alcohol and tobacco products. The ATF also regulates via licensing the sale, possession, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in interstate commerce. Many of the ATF's activities are carried out in conjunction with task forces made up of state and local law enforcement officers, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods. The ATF operates a unique fire research laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, where full-scale mock-ups of criminal arson can be reconstructed. The ATF had 5,285 employees and an annual budget of almost $1.5 billion in 2021. The ATF has received criticism over its handling of the Ruby Ridge siege, the Waco siege and other incidents.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Seal of the ATF
Seal of the ATF
ATF agent badge
ATF agent badge
Flag
Flag
Common nameAlcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
AbbreviationATF
Agency overview
FormedJuly 1, 1972; 52 years ago (1972-07-01)
Preceding agency
  • IRS Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Division
Employees5,285 (2021)
Annual budgetApprox. US$1.5 billion (2021)
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agencyUnited States
Operations jurisdictionUnited States
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersAriel Rios Federal Building, Washington, D.C.
Agency executive
Parent agency
Website
atf.gov
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