Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a principal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice dedicated to preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime, and protecting our nation. The ATF enforces federal criminal laws around the unlawful use, manufacture, and possession of firearms and explosives, as well as acts of arson and bombings, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. The ATF also regulates the firearms and explosives industries via licensing. The ATF works directly, and through partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to investigate and reduce crime. [1] The ATF employs approximately 5000 people across America and has a budget of nearly 1 billion dollars. Since 2001 the ATF has trained almost 6000 bomb technicians and investigators.
The ATF was severely criticized in the 1990's following several botched investigations and high profile shootings and deaths, including the Waco Siege of the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas.
