The BATFE's answer (such as it is)

St. Louis Gun Right Examiner ^ | November 7, 2009 | Kurt Hoffmann

[Still Thinking]

    

Almost a month ago, I pointed out that Mayor Bloomberg's gun show "sting" operation may itself have broken federal gun trafficking laws.

At the time, I urged readers to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) to inquire as to whether or not Mayor Bloomberg's "investigation" was itself being investigated for possible  criminal activity, and to request that such an investigation be initiated.

Yesterday, I received a response, of sorts:

Thank you for your e-mail inquiry to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

We are sorry for the delay in responding.  Please go to the following link for ATF response to Mayor Bloomberg’s operation:  http://www.atf.gov/press/2009press/100909atf_response-to-gun-show-undercover.htm

ATF Public Affairs Division

Unfortunately, following the link does very little to answer the question.

ATF Response to the City of New York’s Report “Gun Show Undercover: Report on Illegal Sales at Gun Shows”

The following statement is from W. Larry Ford, ATF Assistant Director, Office of Public and Government Affairs:

“ATF has received the “Report on Illegal Sales at Gun Shows” by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and is reviewing it along with the Department of Justice. ATF did not participate in the operations conducted at the gun shows highlighted in the report, but will assess the need to initiate any criminal investigations.”

Keep in mind that we already knew that the BATFE was considering criminal investigation--of the dealers.  What I asked was whether or not any consideration was being given to investigating Bloomberg and his henchmen.  That question remains unanswered.

[Still Thinking]

Nice. He calls to ask if they're investigating the statist busybody acting outside his jurisdiction and against the interests of the Constitution, and they assure him they might investigate the people Bloomberg was persecuting. Actually, since most of the jurisdictions where Bloomie chose to run his sting are more gun-friendly than the feds, maybe they could get some DA's or stage AG's to indict Bloomie and co-conspirators for fraud and conspiracy. Maybe even deprivation of civil rights under color of authority (not sure if this will work since they were out of jurisdiction), and maybe entrapment.

[TXnMA]

I better not write what I’m thinking in a public forum... :-(

[Still Thinking]

I think I have a pretty good idea what you’re thinking. Still, it just struck me that Bloomie chose gun-friendly states to pull this crap in, for obvious reasons, so why can’t we use that fact to fight back? The feds may not want to make trouble for a fellow statist except jurisdictionally (”Hey, harassing those rednecks is our job, not yours”), but surely he broke some state laws and local ordinances, or at least the case could be made that he did. Frivolous litigation and prosecution are constantly used by the bad guys, when is it time to give them some of their own medicine?

[SUSSA]

The BATF isn’t interested in prosecuting anti-Bill of Rights criminals. They refused to prosecute Sarah Brady when she made a straw purchase of a gun.

The “Justice” Department isn’t going to go after an anti-Bill of Rights mayor as long as he is a National Socialist Obama backer.

Hopefully, the seller has a good lawyer who can get a jury to understand that if there was no illegal purchase there was no illegal sale.

[Still Thinking]

Reread my comments on the original post and also post 3.

[Still Thinking]

Oh, and as far as we know, Brady didn’t make a straw purchase. I haven’t seen any information that the son was under some disability that would have disqualified him from buying himself. If he wasn’t, it’s perfectly legal to buy him a gun as a gift (as is explicitly pointed out on the 4473).

[Beelzebubba]

They refused to prosecute Sarah Brady when she made a straw purchase of a gun.

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We need to have our facts right. The Form 4473 explicitly states that buying a gift for a non-prohibited recipient is NOT a straw purchase. Let’s put to bed this canard.

[SUSSA]

My bad, thanks for pointing out my error.

[Still Thinking]

No problem. What do you think of the idea of attacking Bloomie through local and state legal action? Who would a person talk to to spread the idea?

[Still Thinking]

That would have to be a BIG feather in somebody’s hat, to try and convict the Mayor of NYC on felony charges, unless someone was leaning on him behind the scenes to back off.

[SUSSA]

Do you believe that the powers that be in the BATF and in the Holder “Justice” Department would look at it as a feather in someone’s cap?

I contend the person trying to bring the mayor and his crew to justice would be in deep $@#t not the mayor and his thugs.

[SwedeBoy2]

My understand is that Even talking about the possibility of an Illegal sale is a Crime.

“Furthering a criminal act or Conspiracy”

So Bloomberg’s Sting was criminal even if No Sale took place.

[Still Thinking]

No, I’m saying for county DA’s and state AG’s to prosecute for violation of STATE laws. Holder and BATFE don’t get a vote.

[SUSSA]

What do you think of the idea of attacking Bloomie through local and state legal action?

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Good idea. Start by contacting the gun sellers involved and the State AG. Then try to get the JPFO and GOA involved also contact the Second Amendment Foundation and Second Amendment Sisters