ATF

The ATF’s Failure to Produce Public Records Keeps the Gun Industry in the Shadows

Off Target

The ATF’s Failure to Produce Public Records Keeps the Gun Industry in the Shadows

Fulfilling even basic FOIA requests can take months or years. Sometimes the agency ignores them altogether.

Alain Stephens and Daniel Nass
Biden’s Gun Violence Plan Zeroes In on Lax ATF Inspections

Off Target

Biden’s Gun Violence Plan Zeroes In on Lax ATF Inspections

The White House’s multipronged strategy would require the bureau to revoke the licenses of gun dealers found breaking the law, and encourage cities to use pandemic relief funds for community-led violence intervention.

Brian Freskos
Legislators Push ATF to Crack Down on Problem Gun Dealers

Philadelphia

Legislators Push ATF to Crack Down on Problem Gun Dealers

Following an investigation by The Trace and USA TODAY, lawmakers are urging the agency to take a tougher line on gun sellers who break federal regulations.

Nick Penzenstadler and Brian Freskos
‘Kitchen-Table’ Gun Dealers Rack Up ATF Violations

Off Target

‘Kitchen-Table’ Gun Dealers Rack Up ATF Violations

Some of the strictest federal penalties land on home-based sellers who fail to invest in sales tracking and security.

Nick Penzenstadler
To Curb Gun Violence, Biden’s Nominee Will Have to Reshape the ATF

Off Target

To Curb Gun Violence, Biden’s Nominee Will Have to Reshape the ATF

If confirmed, David Chipman will be in charge of reforming an agency that has repeatedly come under fire for going easy on gun sellers who break the law.

Alain Stephens
Here’s How to Investigate Gun Store Inspections in Your Area

Off Target

Here’s How to Investigate Gun Store Inspections in Your Area

The Trace and USA TODAY’s database of nearly 2,000 ATF inspection reports is a useful tool for reporters, policymakers, and members of the public.

Daniel Nass and Brian Freskos
Explore Nearly 2,000 Gun Dealer Inspection Reports

Off Target

Explore Nearly 2,000 Gun Dealer Inspection Reports

Use our database to search for law-breaking firearm businesses near you.

Daniel Nass
The ATF Catches Thousands of Lawbreaking Gun Dealers Every Year. It Shuts Down Very Few.

Off Target

The ATF Catches Thousands of Lawbreaking Gun Dealers Every Year. It Shuts Down Very Few.

In a sweeping investigation, The Trace and USA TODAY found the federal agency charged with policing the gun industry let dealers get away with falsifying records and selling firearms without background checks.

Brian Freskos, Daniel Nass, Alain Stephens, and Nick Penzenstadler
Biden’s ATF Pick Is an Agency Veteran With an Eye Toward Reform

ATF

Biden’s ATF Pick Is an Agency Veteran With an Eye Toward Reform

David Chipman’s positions on guns, from The Trace archives.

Jennifer Mascia
Facing GOP Pressure, the ATF Canceled Review of Devices Now Implicated in Two Mass Shootings

ATF

Facing GOP Pressure, the ATF Canceled Review of Devices Now Implicated in Two Mass Shootings

The Boulder gunman had recently purchased an AR-556 with a stabilizing brace, an accessory that allows a category of firearms to evade strict federal regulations.

Brian Freskos and Alain Stephens
I Asked the ATF for Crime Gun Data. A Court Says the Agency Has to Finally Hand It Over.

ATF

I Asked the ATF for Crime Gun Data. A Court Says the Agency Has to Finally Hand It Over.

The ruling rejects arguments the federal government has used to habitually block the release of figures tracing crime weapons to their prior owners.

Alain Stephens
Potential Gun Trafficking Hubs Revealed in ATF Data

ATF

Potential Gun Trafficking Hubs Revealed in ATF Data

A new Trace analysis shows states with the highest share of crime guns purchased within 12 months.

Alex Yablon and Daniel Nass
The Biggest Gun Heist You Haven’t Heard About

ATF

The Biggest Gun Heist You Haven’t Heard About

A West Virginia man pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of guns and firearms parts right under the nose of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In a little-noticed plea agreement submitted April 24, Christopher Lee Yates, 52,…

Alex Yablon
The ATF’s Highest-Ranking Official Will Retire

ATF

The ATF’s Highest-Ranking Official Will Retire

Thomas Brandon, who has led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives since 2015, will retire, the bureau confirmed on Wednesday. Brandon will step down on April 30. “Deputy Director Brandon has faithfully served ATF for 30 years, starting…

Alex Yablon
Major Bump Stock Seller Surrenders 60,000 Devices to ATF

ATF

Major Bump Stock Seller Surrenders 60,000 Devices to ATF

Hours before a federal rule banning the possession of bump stocks came into effect on Tuesday, Texas-based gun accessory retailer RW Arms announced it was voluntarily turning over its entire inventory of 60,000 unsold devices to the Bureau of…

Alex Yablon

The only newsroom dedicated to covering gun violence.

ATF

The ATF’s Failure to Produce Public Records Keeps the Gun Industry in the Shadows

Biden’s Gun Violence Plan Zeroes In on Lax ATF Inspections

Legislators Push ATF to Crack Down on Problem Gun Dealers

‘Kitchen-Table’ Gun Dealers Rack Up ATF Violations

To Curb Gun Violence, Biden’s Nominee Will Have to Reshape the ATF

Here’s How to Investigate Gun Store Inspections in Your Area

Explore Nearly 2,000 Gun Dealer Inspection Reports

The ATF Catches Thousands of Lawbreaking Gun Dealers Every Year. It Shuts Down Very Few.

Biden’s ATF Pick Is an Agency Veteran With an Eye Toward Reform

Facing GOP Pressure, the ATF Canceled Review of Devices Now Implicated in Two Mass Shootings

I Asked the ATF for Crime Gun Data. A Court Says the Agency Has to Finally Hand It Over.

Potential Gun Trafficking Hubs Revealed in ATF Data

The Biggest Gun Heist You Haven’t Heard About

The ATF’s Highest-Ranking Official Will Retire

Major Bump Stock Seller Surrenders 60,000 Devices to ATF