The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Expands Efforts to Fox Valley, Wisconsin Area

CHICAGO — The Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has announced the creation of a new satellite office in the Fox Valley, Wisconsin area. The satellite office will expand the important work of ATF in both criminal enforcement of illegal firearms possession by special agents and regulatory compliance performed by industry operations investigators. The office will be a part of the fully staffed Milwaukee Field Office within the Chicago Field Division.

“Partnerships with our local law enforcement partners are a force multiplier when it comes to investigating illegal firearm possession and ensuring federal firearm licensees are in compliance with federal regulations,” commented ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I am grateful for our strong relationship with the area police departments and look forward to working together to ensure our communities are safe from gun violence.”

“ATF’s creation of this satellite office reflects its deep commitment to our shared goal of making all of our communities safer,” said United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad. “Federal prosecutors and support staff in our Milwaukee and Green Bay offices will continue to work with ATF and all of our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to prevent, investigate, and prosecute offenses involving the unlawful possession or use of firearms in this district, and this new satellite office will provide significant assistance in that regard.”

“The resources and expertise ATF brings to the table are critical in our efforts to eliminate gun violence in our community,” said Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis. “We’ve already seen a significant impact from our partnership with ATF, and the establishment of an ATF office in our region will allow us to take it to the next level.”

“The ability to partner with the ATF to combat gun violence in our communities will help us continue to keep our communities safe. This partnership will give our local communities an additional tool to further the goal of reducing violent crime throughout Northeast Wisconsin,” remarked Oshkosh Chief of Police Dean M. Smith.

“The creation of a new satellite office in Northeast Wisconsin will greatly improve local law enforcement’s access to the resources of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)," remarked Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain. “More specifically, this new office will aid us in reducing violent crime by improving investigative efforts to track down armed violent offenders who make our communities less safe. We look forward to enhancing our partnership with ATF.”

The ATF is the federal agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal and regulatory provisions of the federal laws pertaining to destructive devices (bombs), explosives, and arson. The Chicago Field Division is one of 25 Divisions nationally, encompassing northern Illinois, northern Indiana and eastern Wisconsin. The work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.

ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. ATF’s Chicago Field Division special agents combat firearms violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gun traffickers and gangs. ATF also works in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to accomplish this mission.

Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Chicago Field Division special agents combat arson and explosives-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads.

ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industries. Industry operations investigators work to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner according to law.

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