For people in New York and all over the nation, understanding what different government agencies actually do can be very enlightening. This is certainly true of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which serves a very important role in both investigating federal offenses, as well as preventing them from happening in the first place.
The first step is to break down each component of the ATF’s responsibilities. According to the ATF website, explosives are one area in which the agency is active. This entails enforcing a wide range of laws and regulations that pertain to many different facets of the explosives industry. This can impact those who are responsible for the purchase, use and storage of explosive materials, as well as importation and manufacture. The agency also strives to provide training and education on the proper methods for handling explosives in order to keep the public safe.
Alcohol and tobacco regulation is another area where the bureau is active. In this case, criminal behavior is the main focus, which typically entails identifying and stopping criminal enterprises that traffic in illicit materials. This can be accomplished in numerous ways, including going after funding opportunities that would allow such enterprises to acquire illicit materials, as well as stopping these individuals from making their way into legitimate commerce.
Illegal use and sale/purchase of firearms is another responsibility of the ATF. This is mostly an issue of public safety, although the bureau also urges local lawmakers to fully grasp the full range of options as they pertain to federal prosecution. This also entails issuing the appropriate licensing and ensuring licenses are in place.