Bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (atf) - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a Department of Justice federal law enforcement agency charged with investigating violations of federal firearm, alcohol, and tobacco laws. The ATF�s mission is to protect the public from �crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products; regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives; and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners.� The ATF Director, whom the President nominates and the Senate confirms, heads the ATF, and ATF Special Agents conduct most ATF activities.�

Title 28, Section 599A of the U.S. Code establishes the ATF and directs it to investigate: �criminal and regulatory violations of Federal firearms, explosives, arson, alcohol, and tobacco smuggling laws . . . and any other function related to the investigation of violent crime or domestic terrorism that is delegated to the Bureau by the Attorney General.� In practice, this often entails investigating the importation, manufacturing and possession of illegal firearms, ammunition, or explosives; investigating acts of arson and bombings; investigating illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco; and regulating federal weapon licensing. The ATF often combines their efforts with local law enforcement agencies.�

A high-profile example of the ATF�s activities is their investigation of David Koresh and his cult, the Branch Dravidians, in Waco, Texas, in 1992. The ATF investigated the Branch Dravidian�s illegal production of machine guns and assault rifles, and a two-and-a-half-hour-long gunfight ensued when ATF agents attempted to raid Koresh�s compound. Four ATF agents lost their lives in the fight, but they seized the compound after a 51-day standoff when cult members set the compound on fire.