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Act of July 31, 1789
Higher taxes have always been a consequence of war. In 1789, the first Congress levied taxes on imported spirits to offset Revolutionary War debt. -
Domestic Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco Act
Despite negative public response to the 1789 import tax act, congressional lawmakers decided to establish taxes on domestic spirits. -
Act of July 24, 1813
This Act imposed taxes on imported spirits to offset debt from the Revolutionary War. These taxes proved fiscally beneficial, but extremely unpopular. -
Revenue Act
In 1862, Congress creates the Office of Internal Revenue within the Department of the Treasury specifically to collect taxes, including highly lucrative tariffs on imported distilled spirits and tobacco products. -
War Revenue Act
This act expanded Bureau of Internal Revenue jurisdiction to include assessing taxes. Revenue agents assigned to field investigations were required to examine merchants’ record books. -
18th Amendment (National Prohibition Act)
January 19, 1919, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment, banning the manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages. -
The 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition.
When Prohibition ends with the passage of the 21st Amendment, after three years under Department of Justice (1930 – 1933), the Federal Prohibition Bureau and its successor, the Alcoholic Beverage Unit, are abolished and their function, records and personnel transfer back to the U.S. Department of Treasury as the Alcohol Tax Unit. -
National Firearms Act
This legislation is a direct response to gang violence, this act imposed criminal, regulatory and tax requirements on weapons favored by gangsters: machine guns, silencers and sawed-off shotguns. -
Federal Firearms Act
Regulated interstate shipment of firearms and ammunition, and prohibited their receipt by felons; required dealer and manufacturer licensing; and imposed firearms marking and record keeping requirements. -
ATF commissioned to enforce the Federal Firearms Act and the National Firearms Act.
The newest commission of the Alcohol Tax Unit, the enforcement of the National Firearms Act, is announced and becomes effective October 18, 1941. -
Gun Control Act of 1968 (and its subsequent amendments)
This Legislation regulated interstate and foreign commerce in firearms, including importation, “prohibited persons”, and licensing provisions. -
Title XI of the Organized Crime Act
This Legislation strengthened ATF's jurisdiction over explosives investigations. -
Treasury Department Order 221
“The functions, powers, and duties relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives were transferred from the Internal Revenue Service to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms” Birth of ATF -
Crime Gun Tracing
ATF's Technical Classification Branch becomes the National Gun Tracing Center, officially responsible for international and domestic gun traces. -
Amended Wagering Law
This amendment of a 1950s law required commercial gamblers to purchase a special tax stamp and pay an excise tax of two per cent on gross wagers. -
Anti-Arson Act
This Act clarified ATF’s jurisdiction over arson investigations, by specifically including damage of property “caused by fire.” -
First World Trade Center Bombing
On February 26, 1993, an explosion in an underground garage rocks Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others. ATF Agents respond to the incident. -
Waco, Texas
On February 28, 1993, ATF Agents execute warrants at the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas. Heavily armed cult members ambush the agents. The ensuing shoot-out claimed the lives of four ATF Special Agents. -
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
The Brady law required Federal Firearms Licensees to initiate a criminal background check prior to selling firearms to unlicensed individuals -
Oklahoma City Bombing
At 9:02 A.M. on April 19, 1995, a truck bomb explodes in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Immediately following the explosion, several ATF employees are trapped on the 9th floor. -
World Trade Center Attack 9/11
While the country grieves, ATF agents quickly respond to the devastating crimes. After accounting for its personnel, the New York Field Division assists with the investigative efforts at the World Trade Center. -
Homeland Security Act
This Act established the Department of Homeland Security and outlined responsibilities for fighting terrorism. As a result, ATF was transferred to the U.S. Department of Justice.