Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a principal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. The agency strives to protect the public against crime, violence and terrorist activities. It also works directly and through partnerships to investigate and reduce the use of firearms and explosives, acts of arson, and the illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. The agency has various field division offices to provide 24-hour emergency services throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also works in partnership with the German Federal Police to use the agency s computerized tracking systems for tracing guns and combating firearms trafficking and violence. Additionally, it utilizes computer technology for the collection of evidence and data in the investigation of church fires.