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The Atf

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a United States federal agency, but more specifically a specialized law enforcement and regulatory organization within the United States Department of Justice. The ATF has had a very dynamic history changing its name and duties many times. It was originally part of the United States Department of the Treasury. It was formed in 1886 as the "Revenue Laboratory" within the Treasury Department 's Bureau of Internal Revenue. Following its formation, the ATF changed its name to encompass its responsibilities, ending finally as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 in regards to the 9/11 …show more content…

This creates more business for the alcohol and tobacco industries of the United States. The bureau also assists local, state, and other Federal law enforcement and tax agencies to make sure that the trafficking of illegal alcohol and tobacco is thoroughly monitored on all levels of government (ATF, 1). The bureau has also decreased tax revenue loss to the United States by regulating online cigarette sales. The passing of the Jenkins Act has played a crucial part in the monitoring of online cigarette sales. The Jenkins Act requires any person who sells and ships cigarettes across a state line to a buyer, other than a licensed distributor, to report the sale to the buyer’s state tobacco tax administrator. The act establishes misdemeanor penalties for violation. Compliance with this federal law by cigarette sellers enables states to collect cigarette excise taxes from consumers. However, some state and federal officials are concerned that as internet cigarette sales continue to grow, particularly as states’ cigarette taxes increase, so will the amount of lost state tax revenue due to noncompliance with the Jenkins Act (Wikipedia, 6). The second division of the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives deals with firearms. The Bureau is responsible for regulating firearm commerce in the United States. The ATF also recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crimes and pursues an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy. Enforcement

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