Posted on 11/17/2006 11:35:11 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
NEWTOWN, Conn., Nov. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry's trade association, said today it was outraged but not surprised to learn that Brooklyn, N.Y.-based federal court judge Jack B. Weinstein had appointed a lawyer handpicked by New York City Mayor Bloomberg to monitor several small out-of-state "mom and pop" gun stores that had been sued by Bloomberg earlier this year.
The lawyer, Andrew Weissman, is a partner with the Chicago- based law firm of Jenner and Block. The firm represents the Violence Policy Center (VPC), a Washington, D.C.-based gun control group known for its extremist positions, which include advocating a ban on civilian ownership of handguns. Jenner & Block filed a brief for VPC supporting the City of Chicago's attempt to obtain highly sensitive law enforcement data on guns traced by law enforcement during criminal investigations. Jenner and Block's brief for VPC argued the data should be released to the public despite opposition from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that it would endanger ongoing criminal investigations and a federal law that specifically bars public disclosure. A federal appeals court rejected Jenner and Block's arguments. Chicago had sought the data for use in its lawsuit against gun makers, which was ultimately dismissed by a state appeals court.
"Judge Weinstein's Halloween Day order appointing a lawyer handpicked by Mayor Bloomberg for whose firm has strong ties to a radical anti-gun group gives new meaning to the phrase, 'Trick- or-Treat,'" said Lawrence G. Keane, chief spokesperson for the firearms industry. "We fear it will be a nightmare for these small businesses."
In a series of earlier rulings in a related case, Judge Weinstein ruled the City of New York could have and use privileged gun trace data in its civil suit against gun makers. The case, originally filed in June 2000 by then-mayor Rudy Giuliani and continued by Bloomberg, is now before a federal appeals court in New York.
Gun makers have long been concerned with Judge Weinstein's bias and have even asked Judge Weinstein to recuse himself in the city's suit against the manufacturers. Weinstein refused to step aside.
Bloomberg's suit against 15 out-of-state "mom-and-pop" gun dealers claims they participated in "simulated straw-purchases." Bloomberg, despite promises made at a press conference announcing the suit, has failed to make available evidence of the alleged illegal conduct to the ATF, whom he had described as "asleep at the switch." The actions of Bloomberg's private investigators, done without the knowledge of either ATF or the New York City police department, interfered with as many as 18 ongoing criminal investigations and are now being investigated by ATF.
As part of the dealer settlement agreements, Weissman as "special master" will oversee and monitor three of the five settling dealers' business practices - and though the remaining two settling dealers will have their special master appointed by a Georgia Court, Bloomberg will request that Weissman be appointed to oversee them as well.
In settling the dealers did not admit to any wrongdoing. The monitor's oversight will be largely redundant to that of the ATF but includes new powers, including videotaping firearm purchasers without their permission. The monitor will also be able to fine the dealers for violations of the settlement agreement. "Ironically, Bloomberg strongly opposes pending legislation (H.R. 5092) that would grant similar powers to ATF," Keane said.
"I doubt these small business owners had any knowledge of Weissman and his firm's ties to the radically anti-gun Violence Policy Center. They clearly have a basis to go back to court and demand that a truly neutral party be appointed as a special master," said Keane.
--the nation's leading metrosexual mayoress continues his antics--
The radical left -- continuing their attempt to destroy the Constitution and our rights and liberties. It is what they are all about.
ONLY when we the gun owners make it LOUDLY known that we will not put up with anything messing with the 2nd Admendment will these brain dead cowards get the message....
In Florida we have a state statue making it illegal to sue gun mfgs, or dealers for misuse of guns.
How does NYC get jurisdiction over businesses in other cities and states? Something doesnt seem right about that.
Just my guess but I'll bet they are using the wildly abused 'Interstate Commerce act'.
The New York City government has annointed itself as our new Federal Government. Isn't that nice of them?
Starting next year, you'll be paying Federal taxes to them instead of to Washington.
Today, the gun dealers. Tommorow, the cigarette sellers. Day after that, the fast food joints (Trans Fat ban proposed in NYC)
Ping!
They wont. As long as he has got an "R" in front of his name (R as in Republican, not Rudy), some of them just dont care.
Bloomberg is the worst mayor we have ever had, bar none, and that includes Dinkins. Dinkins was a stupid, racist opportunist, but he was simple. He never went after our liberties in the calculating, sinister way Bloomberg has.
This Judge needs to be impeached or voted out from the bench. He is totally biased. The gun banners have purposely used him for years. It is judges like him that make our Justice System a JOKE>
Another reason GuLLiani will NEVER get my vote.
Rudy Giuliani- gun grabber. Dig your own grave voting for this clown.
Check out the threads from 2004. There were actually a few here who supported this authoritarian. I was amazed then and remain amazed that anyone could be anything other than repelled by him.
When "mom and pop" gun dealers sell weapons indiscriminately to "home grown" terrorist groups - they should be closed down AND PROSECUTED!
http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript_gunland.html
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