Todd Jones

Fair to say, it wasn’t easy getting there.

But after all the political wrangling, B. Todd Jones was sworn in as the new director ATF at a ceremony Thursday at the White House.

With his confirmation, Jones, who was the acting director, becomes the agency’s first permanent director in seven years.

“I congratulate Todd on being sworn in as the first-ever Senate-confirmed Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “I can think of no one better qualified to lead this critical agency, and to reinforce our shared commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in federal law enforcement. For decades, Todd’s career has been shaped by a remarkable dedication to public service, and a steadfast determination to do that which is just and right. I am confident that he will be a superb ATF Director, and look forward to continuing to work with him to protect the American people from violent crime.”

Jones also remarked:

“Today is a historic day for ATF. The agency is now in line with its sister components and has been given the respect it deserves as a federal law enforcement agency with a permanent director. I will lead with the same enthusiasm and dedication that I see daily from the team tasked with protecting our communities from the most violent criminals.”

Steve Neavling

Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people and wounded more than 30, was sentenced to death Wednesday but likely will stay alive for years, if not decades, the Associated Press reports.

And it doesn’t matter if Nidal Hasan wants to be executed.

The military justice system requires years – even decades – of appeals before someone is executed, the AP wrote.

‘‘If he really wants the death penalty, the appeals process won’t let it happen for a very long time,’’ said Joseph Gutheinz, a Texas attorney licensed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. ‘‘The military is going to want to do everything at its own pace. They’re not going to want to let the system kill him, even if that’s what he wants.’’

Hasan sprayed bullets at soldiers who were heading overseas or returning from combat deployments in 2009.

Steve Neavling

Meet the Seal Team Six of the FBI.

One of the nation’s most elite units, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team are decked out in camouflage and armed with HK416 assault rifles, The Week reports.

Think of them as the domestic version of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

They undergo similar training, use common techniques and technology and even chase down terrorists.

But there is a difference, former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh once said.

“The members of the HRT are not commandos.”

The qualifications are strict – experience as an FBI special agent and a grueling selection process, The Week wrote.

Steve Neavling

DETROIT — In an effort to prevent terrorists from crossing the Canadian Border into the U.S., Border Patrol agents are gearing up for a new $17 million facility in Detroit, WWJ reports.

Agents gathered for a groundbreaking this week.

“We share intelligence, anything that’s got a nexus to the border and through the sharing of this intelligence we’re not working in silos so can coordinate efforts and basically maximize operations (and) security as a result of that,” Serge Cote, the officer in charge of the Windsor Royal Canadian Mounted Police, told WWJ.

The new building will offer more office space and parking and will provide new training facilities.

About 100 Border Patrol employees are expected to work there.

Steve Neavling

Make a mistake on paperwork for a gun purchase can prevent authorities from tracking down a killer, the ATF warns, according to WDIO.com.

To avoid mistakes made in the past, the ATF is hosting a series of seminars starting in Minnesota.

ATF Senior Special Agent and Public Information Officer Robert Schmidt the idea is to “get the word out about proper documentation of firearm transactions.”

Improper documentation can kill a case, the ATF warned.

“We may not be able to get correct trace results,” Schmidt said to WDIO.com. “We may not be able to find out who the original purchaser of the firearm was,”

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