Deputy Director to Take No. 1 Job at ATF

The No. 2 official at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was named Friday to head the law enforcement agency.

Bradley Buckles, a longtime ATF official, has been the agency’s deputy director since 1996 and replaces John Magaw as director. As Magaw’s deputy, Buckles assisted in the day-to-day management of the bureau.

“Brad has devoted his entire professional life to the men and women of ATF and the invaluable services they provide to the American public,” Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said in a statement announcing the appointment. “I have no doubt that Brad will bring the same professionalism, expertise and integrity to the position of director that he has demonstrated throughout his long and productive tenure with the bureau.”

Buckles joined the agency in 1974 as an attorney, rose through the ranks and was named chief counsel in 1995.

In his tenure at ATF, he has dealt with program development, strategic planning, budget, personnel and other matters, the Treasury statement said.

Magaw submitted his resignation in October and remains director until Buckles is sworn in Monday, the bureau said.

Magaw, who took over in late 1993, was involved in several high-profile investigations, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the crash of TWA Flight 800 and the bombing in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics.

The agency is responsible for enforcing laws governing explosives, firearms, arson, alcohol and tobacco.