II. METHODOLOGY

• The estimate of drug-related costs is based upon the time expended (FTE) on investigations that resulted in drug charges being filed against defendants. The Bureau takes the total of all defendants in a year to determine the percentage of the cases which are 924(c) and/or narcotics. Based upon this methodology, the resulting percentages are 2.4 percent for Regulatory and Compliance and 53.6 percent for Investigations. These percentages are applied to the Bureau's total budget to project costs and FTE usage.

III. PROGRAM SUMMARY

• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) was established in 1972 when the statutory responsibility for revenue collection, regulatory and criminal enforcement of the alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives were transferred by Treasury Order from the Internal Revenue Service to the Bureau. ATF accomplishes its duties through 21 Criminal Enforcement field divisions and 5 Regulatory Enforcement district offices. The established link of firearms violence and drug trafficking has resulted in a significant portion of ATF's resources being dedicated to counternarcotic activities.



• The Bureau's drug-related functions in support of Goal 2 of the National Drug Control Strategy are as follows:



• Detect and prevent distribution of firearms into illegal channels and into the possession of prohibited persons;



• Assist State and local law enforcement agencies in reducing crime and violence; and



• Reduce illegal trafficking, possession and use of firearms, destructive devices, and explosives.



• In addition to the above drug-related activities, the ATF's Gang Resistance, Education and Training (GREAT) program provides gang prevention and anti-violence instruction to children.

IV. BUDGET SUMMARY

1997 Base Program

• The FY 1997 base program includes $175.6 million for drug-related activities which support Goal 2 of the National Drug Control Strategy. This amount includes of $171.8 million for investigative activities and $3.7 million for regulatory and compliance activities.

• The total FY 1998 drug control budget request is $231.7 million, an increase of $56.1 million over the FY 1997 enacted level. This request includes base adjustments of $18.5 million and program enhancements of $37.6 million.



• The FY 1998 budget request is aligned with the Bureau's strategic plan and reflects three new budget activities. These three activities are: Reduce Violent Crime, Collect Revenue, and Protect the Public, which replaces the "Criminal and Regulatory Enforcement" activities budget category.



• The FY 1998 funding level will allow the Bureau to continue its efforts against drug organizations by targeting firearms-related crimes committed by career criminals, and arson and explosives related incidents committed by those involved in drug distribution, illegal international trafficking in arms, and the misuse of firearms along the Southwest border. FY 1998 program enhancements include:



• $30.8 million to construct a new forsenic laboratory and Firearms Investigation Research and Development Center to allow the Bureau to support its increased emphasis on firearms and explosives regulation and enforcement, as well as to better perform its regulatory functions related to alcohol and tobacco.



• $3.4 million for firearms trafficking which will provide for investigative and equipment support to 12 field offices covering 14 cities to continue pilot programs initiated in FY 1997; will provide for a new mid-range platform for firearms information collected through Project LEAD; and continues automation of the National Tracing Center by expanding contract support for increased trace workload.

V. PROGRAM STATISTICS

	1996 Actual	1997 Estimate	1998 Projected
Old Measure
Arrests	4,151	3,780	--
Conviction Rate	80%	85%	--
Inspections	3,168	3,170	--
Proposed Measure
Number of violent offenders recommended for prosecution	--	--	2,350
Deny criminals access to firearms and explosives	--	--	1,650

VI. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS  

• OCDETF end of year estimates project that ATF has initiated 37.7 percent of all cases in FY 1996. This level of case production has been accomplished by 96 special agents, which represent 3.6 percent of the total OCDETF task forces.



• In FY 1996, ATF's GREAT program conducted 19 "train-the-trainer" classes with 599 police officers participating from across the United States. During FY 1996, 328 state and local agencies sponsored GREAT classes for over 272,000 youth.



• Inspected more than 16,400 Federal Firearms Licensees and conducted an additional 28,000 preliminary investigations in FY 1996. More than 6,200 violations were disclosed.



• In FY 1996, approximately 116,674 firearms traces were processed by the National Tracing Center, an increase of 46 percent from FY 1995; the average trace response time decreased by 2 days.