“an ATF policy of allowing illegal gun purchases to happen in a vain attempt to catch bigger fish”
That honestly wasn’t the goal.
The goal was to get people killed and then clamor for gun bans.
They had the ready made propaganda of “most cartel guns come from america!” and were chomping at the bit to pursue full court press.
And then it embarrassed them.
Note how they don’t want to talk about it now?
Guns are the line in the sand. Never forget it. Because armed citizens just won’t get in the boxcar.