New Legislation Could Scuttle NYC Lawsuit A provision included in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 2006 appropriations act could scuttle New York City’s lawsuit against firearms industry companies, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The provision prevents ATF’s gun-trace database from being used in lawsuits. U.S. Rep. Todd Tiarht said by keeping the database out of the public’s hands it would prevent gun traffickers from doing their own searches and tipping off illegal straw purchasers.