“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 jurisdiction increases through new legislation such as the Gun Control Act of 1968, Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Street Act of 1968 and Title XI of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970.