FBI Director Robert S.
Mueller, III released the following statement:
The FBI supports the proposed
transfer of the criminal enforcement authorities of
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) to
the Department of Justice (DOJ). We have been working
closely with the DOJ and with the Treasury Department
to ensure that any legislation effectuating such a transfer
would preserve the ATF's existing criminal and regulatory
enforcement authorities.
The most recent collaborative
effort between the FBI and the ATF was the multi-jurisdictional
investigation into the sniper attacks in Maryland, Virginia,
and Washington, DC. The sharing of information, the
collection and analysis of evidence, and the coordination
between the two agencies and others was superb. The
FBI believes that the establishment of the ATF as a
component of the DOJ would further enhance the seamless
coordination of future joint investigations. The FBI
has the utmost respect for the men and women of the
ATF and supports legislation which would establish them
as an agency within the DOJ.
