What are the differences between DEA and ATF?
ATF is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a subdivision of the Treasury Dept. Their mission statement addresses preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime and protecting the USA. Originally focused on tax collection and regulatory enforcement, the ATF was fuonded effective July 1, 1972 (Treasury Dept. Order 120-1n but traces its roots back to 1789, when the US Congress first imposed a tax on spirits. Effective January 24, 2003, the ATF command was transferred under the Homeland Security Bill to the Dept. of Justice. The tax and trade functions of the ATF will remain under the Treasury Dept., with the new Alcohol, Tax and Trade bureau.
