July 7, 2004

SPECIAL NOTICE TO ALL FEDERAL EXPLOSIVES LICENSEES AND PERMITTEES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES

Since September 11, 2001, manufacturers, distributors, importers, and users of explosive materials have had a heightened awareness of the need to promptly report stolen or missing explosives. ATF and the explosives industry want to do all we can to prevent the use of explosives in any act of terrorism.

You may have recently heard about or read news accounts of the increasing threat of terrorism in the coming months. The best preventative measure to keep terrorists from committing further attacks on the United States continues to be a vigilant and dutiful public. ATF remains dedicated to preventing these and other violent acts, and we are requesting your continuing help in our fight against terrorism.

Enclosed are informational pamphlets from the “BE AWARE” and “BE SECURE” campaigns that we sponsored with The Fertilizer Institute. We believe this information may be useful to Federal explosives licensees or permittees in identifying security precautions which may be taken to prevent terrorists from having access to explosives. ATF will continue to work with and advise the explosives industry on new developments or methods to prevent terrorists and other prohibited persons from gaining access to explosive materials.

On the back of this letter we have also created a checklist of steps you can take to make your business more secure. Please review this checklist and ensure that your business is meeting these security standards. If you have any questions or additional suggestions for securing your business, please feel free to contact your local ATF office. America is our community, and we need to continue to do everything we can to make it safe.

Thank you for your continued vigilance!

Carl J. Truscott
Director

Enclosures:

• BE AWARE...for America Pamphlet
• BE SECURE...for America Pamphlet
• BE SECURE Checklist