The (B)ATF: Gestapo Overreach or Necessary Evil?

Coffee Break is a special segment on #DionsDailyDose that features a conversation between two lifelong friends that share interests in motorcycles, firearms, and love of their country. Topic: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, known as BATF, or more commonly, just the ATF, has been around since 1972 in its current form, established by Treasury Order 221. From the ATF website: July 1972 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 Under Director Rex Davis, ATF becomes an independent Bureau on July 1, 1972, reporting directly to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Enforcement, Tariff and Trade Affairs, and Operations. ATF’s jurisdictio ...