B. Todd Jones swore an oath of office as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Thursday, after receiving confirmation from the U.S. Senate.
Jones, who has been serving as acting ATF director, became the first permanent director for the agency in seven years, according to an ATF release.
"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," Jones said. "I want Americans to know, ATF is full of hard–working, devoted public servants who are committed to the mission of professional law enforcement."
Jones was appointed acting director on Aug. 31, 2011, following the resignation of Kenneth Melson during the Fast and Furious gun-walking scandal. Previously, Jones served as the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota.