ATF started the problem, but it was the FBI that burned down the Branch Davidian buildings, while shooting anyone trying to escape, and blocking exits before hand.
The NRA thought they had a handle on things for the Senate investigatory hearings, but they, and everyone else, where blindsided when everything that had been scheduled in advance was overturned at the last minute, and the hearings turned into a sideshow on David Koresh instead of investigating the FBI.
It was clear, at that moment, that the Senate feared the FBI and the Media enough to cover up mass murder. The Clintons were in the White House, and you can bet a lot of pressure was brought to bear.
where blindsided should be were blindsided
Yes, exactly correct.
Thank you.