Special Notice to Agencies

Special Notice to Agencies/Entities Who Store Explosive Materials:

Voluntary Questionnaire for Determining the Location(s) of Your Magazine(s)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is committed to protecting the public from terrorism and other threats to public safety. As such, we are continually reevaluating our practices regarding the safe and effective administration of Title XI of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, as amended by the Safe Explosives Act of 2002. Our purpose is not to burden those involved with the safe and secure storage of explosives but to protect you and the general public from potential criminal and terrorist activity.

18 U.S.C. 845 generally exempts State and local government entities (i.e. law enforcement agencies and public educational institutions) from most provisions of the Federal explosives law. For example, they are not required to obtain a license or permit to acquire explosive materials. The law does, however, require the agencies to store them in accordance with the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR Part 555 Subpart K – Storage. It also requires the filing of a report with ATF upon knowledge of any theft or loss of explosives.

Recent thefts of explosive materials, such as the theft of explosives from law enforcement magazines in San Mateo, California, and other sites has demonstrated the need to locate all explosives storage magazines and identifying any safety and security risks. History has shown that explosives have been the weapon of choice by terrorists and criminals wishing to do great harm. Locating each individual magazine will allow us to work with you to ensure that all explosive materials can be accounted for and that all magazines meet the construction requirements for safe storage.

Therefore, we are asking for your continued cooperation in our efforts to promote public safety and security. Enclosed is a questionnaire requesting information on your explosives magazine(s), while this questionnaire is strictly voluntary, we ask that you assist us by taking the time to fill out all applicable information. If you cannot provide a specific address for a magazine location, please write out directions to your magazine(s) from your local post office. Additionally, we wish to remind you to report to ATF any theft or loss of explosives.

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SPECIAL NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS OR

AGENCIES STORING EXPLOSIVES MATERIALS

Once the questionnaire is complete, please return it to the address below, fax to (202) 648-9660, or e-mail it to us at [email protected]. The questionnaire will be available on our website at http://www.atf.gov/explarson/eipb.htm.

Explosives Industry Programs Branch

Room 6.E-405

99 New York Avenue, NE

Washington, DC 20226

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We appreciate your continued support and welcome any comments or suggestions you may have for future initiatives. Together we can prevent terrorists or those with criminal intent from obtaining access to explosives. Should you have any questions regarding this notice or the questionnaire, please contact the Explosives Industry Programs Branch in ATF Headquarters at (202) 648-7120.

Sincerely yours,

Joseph M. Riehl

Chief, Arson and Explosives

Programs Division

c: ATF Special Agents in Charge

ATF Directors of Industry Operations

ATF Area Supervisors