Deputy Attorney General suggests merger between ATF, DEA

(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The Justice Department is considering merging two federal agencies: the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

That's according to a new memo by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch to top officials within the DOJ.

Three people who are familiar with this plan say that this proposal is not final and instead is part of a broader plan for the development of the department officials that they are conducting looking into the department's operations.

The ATF regularly focuses on gun rights groups, which have opposed some of the bureau's work to regulate guns.

Merging the ATF with another agency would require congressional approval.