Get National Tracing Center 2019-2024

The oldest tax-collecting Treasury agency, the ATF traces its roots back nearly 200 years, to when Congress imposed a tax on imported spirits to help pay the Revolutionary War debt in 1789. ... In 1862, Congress created an Office of Internal Revenue, also within the Treasury Department.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the federal agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal and regulatory provisions of the federal laws pertaining to destructive devices (bombs), explosives, and arson.

Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as any other investigator or officer charged by the Attorney General with the duty of enforcing any of the criminal, seizure, or forfeiture provisions of the laws of the United States, may carry firearms, serve warrants and subpoenas ...

ATF is considered to be the leading federal agency in most bombings that occur within the U.S., with exception to bombings related to international terrorism (investigated by the FBI). ATF currently trains the U.S. military in evidence recovery procedures after a bombing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is the federal agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal and regulatory provisions of the federal laws pertaining to destructive devices (bombs), explosives, and arson.

In coming to your house WITHOUT a warrant, they are HOPING that you will surrender your right to privacy and let them in anyway. They can do anything they want to to convince you that this is a good idea. If they had probable cause to get a warrant, they wouldn't show up without it.

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.

And it's not just you; your entire family can be put at risk. Fortunately, though, while the risk of death threats is real, they aren't the norm. Still, as long as ATF agents try to prevent criminals from committing crimes, there's going to be some risk associated with the job. Raids are dangerous.

Career Requirements A career as an ATF special agent will require a bachelor's degree or at least three years of specialized work experience in the areas of criminal investigation or law enforcement work in surveillance.

ATF special agents are based either in the main headquarters in Washington or in one of many local offices throughout the country or overseas. They may spend considerable time traveling depending on their assignments.