Redwood. IMHO the gun stores were forced to sell guns illegally to the cartels so 0 and his DOJ could swoop in, show proof the gun stores sold the weapons illegally, then use the constructed incident to attack our second amendment rights. At the very least be able to ban assualt weapons and high capacity mags. These folks are rotten to the core. If you believe something bad about them it is always worse in real life.
The best way I can answer your questions is through this article from the Nation Review: >http://www.nationalreview.com/article/430153/fast-furious-obama-first-scandal
This describes the process created and approved, obviously by the potus as early as 2009 we know of, and that the effect of the weapons has exploded to other areas than where they were originally allowed out of the country and were being used to kill people. And let's face it, the only real way to track an illegal weapon is when it is used. Your concern about high calibers and so called assault weapons, is noted by the one weapon found that would stop a car. And they would have got more or the deal wouldn't be worth their time or money based upon their obvious mistrust of the people in the process. And cartels get the guns and they USE THEM. red