I was barely aware of the ATF until they botched that raid on the Branch Davidians. I remember affirmative action female ATF agents bawling their eyes out at the chaotic scene. They were traumatized because some crazies had actually shot back at the ATF crazies. A big publicity stunt gone bad. They figured Bill Clinton would increase their funding
The head honcho David Koresh could have been easily arrested off the compound with a minimum display of force
Yes, the ATF first-level managers were calling it a "ZBO" -- for "Zee Beeg One", a budget-cycle stunt raid intended to show footage of lots of scary-looking Kalashnikovs and Barret rifles stacked on a table and weeping-weenie Davidians being perp-walked to federal prison by barrel-chested ATF champions.
Remember, though, that Waco was planned on 41's watch by the same ATF that had tried to entrap Randy Weaver, leading to the Ruby Ridge siege.
And always remember that 41 resigned from the NRA rather than brook criticism of what was done by ATF on his watch in his name.
There is a book-length study of firearms policy under 41 -- the real policy, not the political one -- waiting to be written. And useful inferences drawn.