ATF Director to Testify on Antiterrorism Explosives Act

Washington, DC - Director Bradley Buckles will testify on H.R. 4864, The Antiterrorism Explosives Act, today at 4:00 p.m. before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. H.R. 4864 would:

• Require all purchasers of explosives to obtain a permit from ATF and undergo a background check that would deny the transfer of explosives to felons, illegal aliens, drug users, and other prohibited persons.
  
  
• Give ATF authority to screen the backgrounds of employees who take possession of explosives while working for explosives licensees.
  
  
• Create a "limited user" permit for explosives users who anticipate no more than four purchases of explosives in a 12-month period. Limited users would have to pass background checks, but would not be subject to warrantless inspections that are required for holders of regular use permits.
  
  
• Expand the list of prohibited people to include those who have been adjudicated mental defective, certain aliens other than lawful permanent residents, persons dishonorably discharged from the military, and persons who have renounced their citizenship.
  
  
• Require explosives manufacturers and importers, including those who manufacture or import ammonium nitrate, to provide ATF, upon request, samples of, or chemical information on the products they manufacture or import.
  
  
• Restore the ability of ATF and Federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who use explosives to damage the property of institutions receiving Federal financial assistance, such as hospitals and laboratories.