Career as a BATFE agent?

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hankdatank1362

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Hope the title got your attention. I also hope it doesn't get me flamed.

Am I the only one who thinks it would be neat to work as a BATFE agent?

I aspire to become an LEO one day (hopefully sooner rather than later) and would like to work my way up to possibly a firearms instructor at an academy, or maybe even work for the BATFE.

The reason I bring the BATFE up is because I think that if we had more pro-RKBA people on the inside, then ours might not be so much of an uphill struggle.

Do you think someone who is pro-2a even stands a chance of getting hired?

I'd like to know your thoughts. I am suffering a viscous cold right now and have got half a bottle of Nyquil in me, so lemme know if I need to clarify anything.

Once again, my main point is that we need more RKBA'ers on the inside of every possible organization we can get. Think I could do my share to help it happen?
 
So you want to be an ATFer eh?

Answer yourself one question, and you will know whether or not you belong with the ATF.

Does the idea of murdering children in an inferno, and taking part every day in the violation of the rights of citizens bother you?

If not, then a career with the ATF is right up your alley.
 
I'd rather work waist deep in sewage all day, at least that would be honest work.

The ATF has the worst reputation of any federal law enforcement agency among federal law enforcement officers. Aim higher.
 
While your sentiments are laudable if you actually succeed you may find yourself in a situation where you must sacrifice your morals or your sanity.
Beaurocracies such as BATF are very political entities. Low level employees must bite the bullet (sic) and do what they are told. Rock the boat and you could end up manning an office in say.....Ridgecrest, Ca. etc. (deep in da Mojave desert). If you refuse to "play the game you have little chance at advancing, if you play the game to get ahead you can become corrupted by
the "favors" and political give and take. Your funding is dependent upon congress, a more fickle and evil master would be hard to find. Petty
career beaurocrats are the order of the day. Change is frowned upon unless it brings in increased funding. Accountability is a buzz word, not a principle to actually be applied to work. Nothing corrupts so completely as civil service.
The mentality of most is that they exist to dictate to citizenery, the thought that citizenry is entitled to tell the average employee of the typical government agency what to do is anathema.

I agree that in principle it would be ideal to have honest moral people in these agencies. The problem is that honest moral people either leave voluntarily due to the inability to stand the inherent corruption of the machine they work for, or they are fired for attempting to allow their moral compass to guide them thus interfering with the ability to follow orders unquestioningly.
 
I have this friend . . .

Some of you in Nevada know him.

He's an NRA instructor nowadays, and something of an RKBA activist.

Some several years ago he took a job with the IRS.

It didn't last.

It looked good at first but, as with many .gov jobs, there was more than met the eye.

May I recommend that you don't spend several years finding this out first hand?

There's plenty of other honorable work out there to be had.
 
Might as well say you want to work for the IRS.

Or that you want to be a prison excecutioner.

Yeah, look for honest work.
 
Why not sell cars or start a pyramid scheme?

At least then you can sleep at night.
 
The ATF does many great things from a law enforcement standpoint, and is very active in prosecuting crimes we all hate and despise. They also have a history of being heavy-handed and anti-2A, but this shouldn't necessarily be weighed against to the point of disregarding them. An influx of pro-2Aers might do it some good.

I think DMF is an ATFer and he's hardly anti-gun. Plus his posts are usually quite amusing and cuts through BS quite well.
 
I'll get flamed for this--but who gives a rip!

Friend, if you want to work for ATF--or ANY other law enforcement agency--then go for it. Do NOT let the opinion of any bystander sway you.

Just remember this--always do your job to the best of your ability, and keep your integrity inviolate.

I, for one, salute you on your choice of a potential career. Many others can not even begin to achieve that goal. Go for it!
 
I'm assigned to a regional Task Force that the BATFE put together. I have spent three years and hundreds of hours with the guys. I have never heard any anti gun talk against lawful people.
 
I assume you have to be LEO first so do that, doors that your not considering may open. Ask again when 1. Your considering the lateral transfer to the BATFE 2. You have worked with the BATFE in your state as a LEO and gotten an impression of them.
 
BATF...uh...E!

Power corrupts, and the BATF, like that other lettered government entity...the BATF...E has garnered a little too much power...and it has corrupted the agency. There are too many of our legislators who seem to believe that the "E" has come to mean "Experts" in the matter of firearms. They have somehow gained the ability to change laws by declaring that they have decided that this or that device that was perfectly legal yesterday is now a machinegun or some other such "Weapon of Destruction."

Many people who start with good intentions often fall into the power trap.
If you do pursue a career with the BATF...E...remember your roots.

Good luck
 
As so many will tell you. Your experiences inside may be with honerable associates and moral leadership. You may be one to add to the moral leadership. Do not believe though that everyone around you is there with service in their heart. I am sure that some of the people in those roles are working themeselves up a ladder with help through friend and family connections. This is how governement works on way to many levels.
Also your beliefs and the background check they conduct on you may reveal a number of 4473s and other records indicating you are likely one of us. The higher management may hire and allow advancement appropriate to your experience and ability. I think you would never find a promotion to any position to affect a change in the agency's character that has earned them so much respect and reverence from thos of us on this board.
 
I think thexrayboy hit the nail on the head.
What you propose is "in theory," a great idea. The problem is, the ATF is a bureaucracy. And a bureaucracy is very much like the borg. Once you are in there, you come to a point of view (if you last that is) that is somewhat distorted. The bureaucracy takes on a mind of its own, always justifying its existence, always looking for reason to remain in power and remain well funded.

Sure, the ATF never says anything against
I have never heard any anti gun talk against lawful people.
Click to expand...
lawful people, but then that depends on your definition of "lawful," doesn't. If owning and carrying a gun when you are not in LE or Gov. is illegal, then Sara Brady can say she has nothing against lawful ownership of guns.
If it is what you want to do, then do it. Just please do not sacrifice your integrity to remain there. That is the trap with most government jobs, everyone enters with noble aspirations, but only those that are willing to sell their soul to the devil stays for a long time.
Good luck
 
I wouldn't base any future career choices on the opinions of ppl you only know from a message board but IMHO if you want to do it give it a shot. You may hate it but this is a free country and I am sure you can quit the job at any time if you find it doesn't suit you. Someone stated previously that

The ATF has the worst reputation of any federal law enforcement agency among federal law enforcement officers. Aim higher.
Click to expand...

But I believe that honor goes to the Border Patrol or the DEA. Atleast among the guys I know who work for those agencies they seem to have the lowest morale.

Anyways don't let anyone on a gun board talk you out of or into a job. Make your decisions based on where you are at in life and what your aspirations are. Just my 2 cents.
 
I must be an optimist, but I think the country would be a better palce if the ATF had people who liked guns, gun ownership for citizens, and some common sense....

would be a fine change of pace, particularly if they could by some miracle bring some sense to the decision/policy makers.
 
ATF had no control over the waco incident after the FBI came in and took over. If everyone woulda just let a ranger take care of everything it coulda been a really cool fight scene.

BTW - Chuck Norris uses 8x10 sheets of rough plywood for toilet paper.
 
ATF had no control over the waco incident after the FBI came in and took over.
Click to expand...
That is correct.

I like THR a lot and respect the opinions of all members. But most of what you read here about BATFE is not supported by facts, including many of the negative comments posted above. I believe you are going to have to broaden you search if you really want to know what being an ATF agent is like, and the degree you could influence BATFE by being a member.
 
If you had no one apply for these jobs, the BATFE and most other government agencies would just go away.

Get a good education, use your mind and create, start your own company.

Don't become another burden to the free market tax payer.

And before you "we pay taxes too" government people chime in, your pay including the taxes you pay all come from the free market taxpayer.
 
LE is very honorable work. I think a strong person will not turn against his neighbors. unlike the mafia, you can always quit. I'm a blue-shirt laborer so that kind of work doesn't suit me. go for it:neener:
 
I imagine that, as an LEO, I would get the chance to work with the BATFE someday and see what they are really like, firsthand. My criminology professor said that in his career, he got to work with ATF agents, postal inspectors, air marshals, and all kinds of other interesting positions.

but I think the country would be a better palce if the ATF had people who liked guns, gun ownership for citizens, and some common sense....
Click to expand...

That's my whole idea. Plus, I think it might be a really interesting job. And, they do a lot of good work, but only get attention when some butt-clown decides to start harassing local gunsmiths or an honest businessman whose invention (i.e. Akins Accelerator) plays by their rules, and still gets screwed.
 
It is not a family friendly job. The guys here are part of the Chicago Office. Sounded like a good place to them when they got transferred. Do they see Chi town, heck no. They are set in a office near East St Louis in Southern Illinois.

Next week they could be sent to the Iraq, or the East or West coast for however long.

They never sit around talking about guns, it is just a tiny part of their job. They have non LE Inspectors that deal with fire arms and explosives on a day to day basis.

We always joke around at the Task Force. If you want the origin and cause of a fire or explosion call us. If you want to hold a press conference call the FBI.;)
 
I thought about going to work for the BATF but they wouldn't hire me.

They found out that my parents were married.
 
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