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ExpectMore.govExpectMore.gov home pageEXPECT FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO PERFORM WELL, AND BETTER EVERY YEAR.
Program Assessment

Program

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Arson and Explosives Program

The Arson and Explosives Program combats violent crime and prevents terrorism. Special agents, inspectors, and technical specialists enforce the Federal explosives laws and provide assistance and training to state, local, and other Federal authorities.

Rating

What This Rating Means

PERFORMING
Adequate

This rating describes a program that needs to set more ambitious goals, achieve better results, improve accountability or strengthen its management practices.
  • The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Arson and Explosives Program's purpose overlaps and, in many instances, duplicates the purposes of other Federal agencies and state and local law enforcement agencies.
  • ATF and the FBI continue to compete for jurisdiction on investigating explosives incidents.
  • ATF's Arson and Explosives Programs are targeted to reach intended beneficiaries. For example, State and local agencies requiring the assistance of ATF's National Response Team (NRT) call ATF directly. NRT members work side-by-side with local responders. ATF's regulation of the explosives industry is directly targeted at explosives licensees/permittees.

Improvement Plan

About Improvement Plans

We are taking the following actions to improve the performance of the program:

  • ATF will work with the FBI to implement the provisions of the July 2008 Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies.
  • ATF will ensure that all financial management related material weaknesses identified are corrected in an expeditious and comprehensive manner.
  • ATF will conduct independent program evaluations to determine whether the program is effective and achieving results.

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