“Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives used to be called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, but is still commonly known as the ATF. Not everyone thinks that alcohol, tobacco and firearms are bad things that need government agency regulation.
“Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and bumper stickers. The popular T-shirt saying has been cited in print since at least 2005.
Wikipedia: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice. Its responsibilities include the investigation and prevention of federal offenses involving the unlawful use, manufacture, and possession of firearms and explosives; acts of arson and bombings; and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. The ATF also regulates via licensing the sale, possession, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in interstate commerce. Many of ATF’s activities are carried out in conjunction with task forces made up of state and local law enforcement officers, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods. ATF operates a unique fire research laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, where full-scale mock-ups of criminal arsons can be reconstructed.
LiveJournal
Ryan (jsdkl) wrote,
2005-05-23 12:40:00
“Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a store, not a government agency.” - Kim du Toit
The Firing Line Forums
Best ever T-Shirt / bumper messages - PRO Gun
boobaglou1
October 26, 2005, 12:27 AM
I have a T-shirt that says -
Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms
should be a convenience store….
Not a government agency.
SafeCastle.com
Sunday, April 23, 2006
ATF should be a convenience store, not a government agency
wish I could sell some of these T-shirts, but the folks who sell them are alright folks who retain all rights to selling them online.
Google Books
Field of Fire
By James O. Born
New York, NY: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
2007
Pg. 155:
“For Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms? That should be a convenience store, not a government agency.”
The High Road
Gun Shop Names
Lewis130
August 18, 2008, 03:49 PM
Everyone says the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms should be a shop, not a government institution: well, nows your chance!
New York (NY) Times—The Caucus
August 29, 2010, 10:04 am
Sunday Word: Five Years On
By JANIE LORBER
(...)
The crowd was a sea of red, blue and lots of white, writes Talking Points Memo. They wore their messages on their back: “Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency.” Reagan shirts. “Take America Back.”