ATF Making Arrests While Pursing Tips on Sniper: Finding Individuals With Illegal Rifles

New York Times ^ | 10/17/02 | FRANCIS X. CLINES

[Brian Mosely]

< snip >

As in other periods of respite in the random assaults, news reports surfaced of individuals under surveillance, but the police emphasized they had no prime suspect to talk of. A steady run of arrests continued as agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms pursued tips and found individuals with illegal rifles, but no prime suspect.

< snip >

Federal agents say they have been receiving many tips from residents alarmed about gun-owning neighbors. "Most of these are possessed legally," said Michael Bouchard, chief agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, in the hunt.

"However, some are possessed by people who shouldn't have them," Mr. Bouchard added, cautioning against alarmist reports when the individuals are questioned.

[Brian Mosely]

Unintended consequences...

[Grut]

Sounds like "motion equals progress" to me.

[Uncle Sham]

Or perhaps, intended consequences.

[Dan from Michigan]

Wilson Blair?

[Jeff Head]

Or maybe intended ... using the current circumstances to clamp down with Maryland's draconian laws as well as the Federal ones.

All of which are unconstitutional IMHO.

The Firearms Restoration Act

[Dog Gone]

The rifles aren't illegal. Possession of them by convicted felons is what's illegal, at least for now.

[mfulstone]

There's more than one sniper.

It's like "Here, hold muh qat, it's my turn to nail one..."

[MonroeDNA]

Unintended consequences.

[dep]

while we're here, i'm curious as to what everyone makes of the reports that the weapon is an ak-74, the current russian military piece. i've never heard of a semi-only or sporter version. is there one? i thought they were all selective. anyway, there are bound to be a lot of them in, say, chechnya, and i wouldn't be surprised to find a few in iraq. seems to me that if this is the weapon, it might in and of itself say something about the shooter, no?

dep

[MissAmericanPie]

"seems to me that if this is the weapon, it might in and of itself say something about the shooter, no?"

yes

[m1911]

Yes, there are semi versions of the AK74 available, in several chamberings including .223.

[Congressman Billybob]

For a more accurate analysis of the shooter and his possible weapons and ammunition, click on "Ballistics and Bullsh*t." This is my weekly column, filed four days early because of the urgent subject.

It is based on EXCELLENT work by FReepers on a thread started yesterday on FR.

Congressman Billybob

This column is based on the fine work by FReepers in a thread on FR. Click for "Ballistics and Bullsh*t"

Click for "Til Death Do Us Part."

Click for "to Restore Trust in America"

[l8pilot]

"War is peace"; "ignorance is strength"; George Orwell, 1984

[Criminal Number 18F]

There are dozens of AK variants in .223. The most common ones imported into the USA are the Valmet M62S, M71S and M76S and M76FS.

The Israeli Galil is also a 5.56mm AK variant. In fact, it's based on the M62 Valmet.

About 25 additional 5.56mm variants of the AK were legally imported. Chinese, Hungarian, Yugoslavian, etc. Still more are made overseas for the international weapons market.

The gentleman who suggested that the 5.56 and 5.45mm cartridges fired the same diameter bullet, or could be mutually chambered and fired, is mistaken. The 5.56mm casing is 45 mm long and will not chamber in the 5.45. The 5.45 will not chamber in the 5.56 (it's too fat).

The bullets are also constructed completely differently. The 5.45 ammunition was designed around a steel core.

I'm pretty skeptical of a 5.45 connexion. In this country it is a very exotic round, favoured mostly by collectors.

I'm personally suspicious that the most recent murder was unrelated to the originals, but the work of a copycat or wannabee. Lots of differences from previous practice.

All I can add is, I sure hope they bag this guy before he takes more innocent life, or well-meaning people trash more civil liberties in the pursuit of him.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Jeff Head]

FYI ... in case you are interested.

[Travis McGee]

You can bet that every person who ever showed a neighbor his new rifle has been ratted to the JBTs.

[patriciaruth]

Thanks for your article, which added some detail to what I've been reading these past two days.

Only one error of fact that I detected. Chandra Levy's remains were NOT found by the D.C. police. A dog and a citizen found them as I recall.

[chuckles]

When I moved, I asked a neighbor(personal friend for 2 years) to help me move. He abliged. He is an avid hunter, Republican voter, and gun enthusiast. When moving my gun safe, he asked why I needed so many guns and so much ammo? I couldn't believe it. Not from this guy! I've been collecting for 30 years and have even sold some(even though I am always sorry afterwards) When the poop hits the fan, you never can trust anybody.

[RogueIsland]

Federal agents say they have been receiving many tips from residents alarmed about gun-owning neighbors.

Ah, I see Orwell's vision has arrived, just a little behind schedule.