Any new monitoring must be approved by the ATF Special Agents in Charge (SACs) and the Deputy Assistant Director (DAD). This change prevents rogue agents from using the system for their own needs.
ATF Changes Policy On NICS “Pre-Crime” Monitoring
ATF Monitoring
Today is Tuesday, February 17, 2026 
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Senator Rand Paul Launches an Investigation Into NICS Monitoring
Senator Rand Paul is launching an investigation into the ATF’s use of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
FOIA Shows NICS Being Used to “Monitor” Legal Gun Owners in California
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been using the system to monitor Americans from California to see if they are violating state law with their gun purchases.
FOIA Shows the Extent of ATF Monitoring Americans Through FBI’s NICS System
The ATF monitored people for their associations and the feeling that the target might commit a crime in the future.
ATF Attempts to Silence Gun Owners of America
The ATF claims it wants to protect the privacy of those it targets. GOA says it finds this claim ironic because the ATF’s program itself is violating the privacy rights of the monitoring targets.