Why do we even have excise taxes on booze and cigarettes? In the case of booze, it dates back to the Whiskey Rebellion. It's time to get rid of both those excise taxes. That would eliminate two letters of BATFE.
Prior to passage of the 16th Amendment it was the only Constitutional way to fund the Federal Government. That's why.
‘Why do we even have excise taxes on booze and cigarettes?’
There ya go asking intelligent questions. I see you won’t go far. ;) Let me take a stab at it: The ATF is w/ us b/c Congress was in a stealing mood. So, I suspect the ATF will remain w/ us until Congress can control its greed for our wealth and regain its respect and deference for those it supposedly represents. Think of the ATF as a sort Swiss Army knife agency. That is they combine all of the basic elements a corrupt govt needs to keep its sheep (The Masses) under control. I think this aspect of one stop shopping will make it hard for the pols to give up.