The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — commonly called ATF — is a United States law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice charged with investigation and enforcement surrounding firearms, explosives, arson, bombings and illegal trafficking and tax evasion of alcohol and tobacco.
Its core mission is to investigate and prevent violent crime involving firearms and explosives, arson, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. ATF also regulates the firearms and explosives industries and provides support to other law enforcement agencies.
The agency, according to its website, also helps communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public we serve through information sharing, training, research, and use of technology.