🚨 This Week at ATF: ATF is working to stop illegal cross-border smuggling, dismantle firearms trafficking routes, solve arson cases, take dangerous narcotics off the streets, and investigate violent firearms violence using intelligence-driven investigative techniques. ➡️ Interdicted cartel-linked narcotics in Atlanta and 800 lbs of meth in Indianapolis ➡️ Seized machinegun conversion devices in North Carolina ➡️ Worked with Canadian partners to arrest cross-border smugglers ➡️ Dismantled firearms trafficking routes from Arizona to Mexico ➡️ Assisted with charges against man arrested at Trump National Golf Club in California ➡️ Partnered with local law enforcement to trace firearms in Idaho and execute warrants in Missouri and Illinois ➡️ Investigated religious facility arson, arrested alleged arsonist ATF remains committed to removing violent criminals, arsonist, and firearms and drug traffickers from our neighborhoods. Learn more at #WeAreATF#

Gerald Lopez, 20, Deming, was sentenced to 101 months in prison after admitting he possessed a machinegun in furtherance of cocaine trafficking and fled a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint, leading agents on a pursuit that reached approximately 140 mph on Interstate 10. @ATFPhoenix investigated the firearms offense in partnership with the New Mexico State Police. The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector is investigating the immigration-related offense. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case. See full news release at

The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation that led to this 158-count indictment developed from information gathered in four previously charged federal cases. To date, HSTF partners have executed numerous federal search warrants on social media accounts, telephones, residences, and vehicles as part of this investigation. Law enforcement agents have also seized over 100 firearms and over 125,000 rounds of ammunition in Arizona. Read more:

USA Courchaine speaking today alongside our HSTF partners about U.S. v. Castro, et al, a 158-count indictment against 21 defendants involved in straw purchasing and gun trafficking in Arizona.

Firearms traffickers fuel violence. The Homeland Security Task Force is taking them off the streets. Outstanding work by ATF, HSI, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in dismantling multiple firearms trafficking rings and arresting multiple defendants. This is what unified law enforcement looks like. 🇺🇸 #HSTF# #ATF# #HSI# #USAO-AZ#

🔴 Watch Live Today at 1 p.m. PDT @ATFPhoenix, along with Homeland Security Task Force partners @HSIArizona @USBPChiefTCA and @USAO_AZ, announces the arrests of multiple defendants and the dismantling of several firearms-trafficking rings. #HSTF# #StopGunTrafficking#

ATF Form processing times have been notoriously slow. This chart tells a story I'm proud to share. The white line represents the average processing times across the four ATF forms Americans submit most often. It shows just how far we have come. Thanks to dedication of our employees, the average time has dropped from 73 days in FY21 to just 18 days today. Form 4 processing has fallen from 150 days to approximately 18 days. I'm incredibly proud of the men and women of ATF. Their hard work made this possible. We are not finished; We will keep improving and modernizing, earning the trust of the American people while staying focused on our core mission to reduce violent crime.

ATF is proposing to clarify that “training rounds,” including inert, marking, and simulated-projectile products used for training, do not meet the statutory definition of “ammunition” under the Gun Control Act. These items are therefore not regulated under the GCA or Arms Export Control Act provided the round is not for a firearm. The change provides clear regulatory certainty for manufacturers, importers, and law enforcement suppliers. Read this proposal and comment at #NewEra#

ATF is proposing a new streamlined process for converting temporarily imported firearms to permanent import status. Importers will be able to submit an ATF Form 6 application when the temporary authorization expires, instead of being forced to re-export, destroy, or permanently reimport the firearm. This fills a current regulatory gap, reduces significant costs and burdens, while maintaining all import controls. Read the proposal and comment at #NewEra#

ATF is proposing to clarify rules on transporting firearms and ammunition aboard common or contract carriers. A person who travels while personally maintaining direct control over their firearm or ammunition does not constitute “delivery” to the carrier under the Gun Control Act. This eliminates longstanding ambiguity and provides clear guidance for law-abiding travelers. Read the proposal and comment at #NewEra#

By working with local and state law enforcement partners, ATF is on the frontlines, protecting communities from violent criminals every single day. Watch ATF Director Robert Cekada’s full interview with Colion Noir at #WeAreATF#

ATF is proposing to define “willfully” in DOJ regulations that implement the Gun Control Act. The definition follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s standard in Bryan v. United States: a person acts willfully when they know their conduct is unlawful, even if they are not aware of the specific statute or rule being violated. This provides clearer guidance for license suspension, revocation, and civil penalty actions. Read the proposal and comment at #NewEra#

ATF proudly stands with Americans across the nation to honor and celebrate the patriots and heroes who have made this great American experiment a reality for 250 years. #ProudToBeAnAmerican# #America250# #WeAreATF#

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: There's a new sheriff in town - ATF Director Rob Cekada. And he's the best thing to ever happen to the agency. He's a constitutional conservative who we've known for DECADES. And he's made it VERY clear since law before he took office - the new mission of ATF is to PROTECT the rights of law-abiding citizens, expand 2A rights, and target violent criminals. Democrats are terrified of him. Criminals hate him. But Americans should rest easy knowing a patriot is running the show over there. Make him FAMOUS. #lawenforcement# @ATFHQ @TheJusticeDept @RapidResponse47