Here is a PERSONAL result of ATF tactics of this operation:
Hello All:
Many of you are wondering why we choose now to "retire" from the gun business, and some of you have heard something about "ATF problems" we're having as well. Here's the truth.
April 23rd (8:30 PM), while we were at the Reno Gun Show (show was closed at that time - we were in the Hotel), the ATF preformed a Search Warrant on our tables at both the show and our business premises in Coeur d'Alene. They confiscated over $150,000 of firearms from both the locations, and all our paperwork from our store.
They seized me at gun point, told me that this was being preformed because of "credible witnesses" claiming that I was (and I quote) "building and selling - illegally - machine guns and silencers in the North West".
They released me to immediately return home and await their instructions.
Upon meeting with the local ATF agents in CDA that week, I was (again) told that I was supposed to be a mean, nasty, evil, criminal anti-government, anti-ATF person and they wanted me out of business and possibly criminally prosecuted as well.
One week later, I was informed that after scrutinizing all our paperwork and the guns they had seized, they realized that I wasn't a criminal as they thought and that the allegations were false.
But they still want ALL our guns they stole and us out of business. Those guns are all we have left.
I am asking for your help.
We've managed to scrape together a few thousand dollars to hire a local lawyer, but that won't last long.
What we need is for you guys to see if you know anyone who can (and will) help us. I need lawyers, Generals, Governors, Senators (all have done business with Survival Enterprises) and anyone else that can "pull some strings" to get this crap handled.
Money for our legal defense fund wouldn't hurt either.
I have been refurbing and selling highly collectable firearms for 20 years. I have never had any problem with the ATF or any other law enforcement agency.
If any of you feel you want to help Survival Enterprises (and I) stay in business, please contact me.
Thanks
Kurt Wilson CEO
Survival Enterprises
http://www.survival.com.mx
kurt@se1.us
(800) 753-1981
It sounds like you have been given the "standard" proffer letter from the FedGov. It usually has 8-12 provisions in it. At one point they say that they will not use what you told them in their case in chief against you. That is usually the only thing that they are prohibited against in using the statement. That means that they won't be able to use the information as a confession against you in their case in chief at trial. They can use the statement against you, for example, if you take a contrary position at trial or testify or seek to introduce evidence at trial that is contrary to your statement, etc.
Speak with your local counsel.
Wilson's is always the FIRST table I go to at that show. I bought a pistol from him the morning of his ordeal. Thankfully, that is a bit more money in his pocket, and one fewer gun to fall into the hands of the JBTs.
How does it feel now Kurt? i remember when i was in trouble with the ATF, and was seeking help from you, I recieved absolutely NO help at all. You blew me off to save your precious buisness and your name, well what goes around comes around!
Now you know the hell i went through with no help, and no money. Hope you have fun and enjoy it all as i did for 3 years.
Just so people know. Kurt Wilson is lying about his statement above: April 23rd (8:30 PM), while we were at the Reno Gun Show (show was closed at that time - we were in the Hotel), the ATF preformed a Search Warrant on our tables at both the show and our business premises in Coeur d'Alene. They confiscated over $150,000 of firearms from both the locations, and all our paperwork from our store.
The only weapons that were seized from him were a UNregistered machine gun, a AR-15 and a shortened shotgun. The following article below is from the Couer d alene newspaper: Gun shop owners released pending Idaho trial in July by Dave Turner Staff Writer
Coeur d Alene Press
The owners of a Post Falls gun shop were arrested by agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives early Friday on federal firearms charges.
Kurt Wilson, 52, and Angie Wilson, 53, owners of Survival Enterprises, 4368 W. Seltice, were released on their personal recognizance after making a first appearance later Friday morning. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mikel Williams, appearing from Boise via video, set trail for July 13 in Cda.
The Wilsons were two of 14 suspects arrested in a five state sweep.
All of the defendants were charged with dealing firearms without a license, illegal sales of firearms, possession of unregistered firearms and possession fo firearms by prohibited persons'"said the ATF in a press release.
A call to the store transferred to voice mail Friday afternoon and a message seeking comment was not returned.
The Wilsons were charged with three counts in Idaho and eight in Nevada. No date was set for their trial there.
In Idaho, the Wilsons are charged with possession of unregistered firearms -- an AR-15, a shortened 12-gauge shotgun and a machine gun.
Angie's Wilson "had a license to possess all of those"' said Idaho Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Cook. "If they were registered, it wouldn't' have been illegal for them to have them."
Each of the counts carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
After they were photographed and fingerprinted by U.S. Marshals, the couple were allowed to leave.
Cook said normally, those under felony indictment are barred from possession of firearms.
"We requested the court to waive that requirement so the could dispose of the inventory of fireman's and ammunition." Cook said.
Nevada prosecutors charged the Wilsons with eight counts of of firearm violations, most stemming from their attendance at the Big Reno gun Show in August 2003.
The Wilsons were indicted on four counts of unlawful dealing at an out-of-state gun show; three counts of unlawful selling of a firearms to an out-of-state resident, which carries a maximum five years each, and one count of possession of a machine gun.
The ATF said the Wilsons were caught as part of "Operation Over the Line".
Federal agents were working undercover at gun shows in Nevada the past year. Other arrests were made in Nevada, California, Utah, and Washington.
Nine of the suspects were arrested after search warrants were served Friday. Five others were already in custody as part of the investigation, said Daniel Bogden, U.S. attorney for Nevada.
"Undercover ATF agents purchased nearly 40 firearms using different Reno gun shows as the hub of activity," said John Torres, ATF special agent in charge of the San Francisco office.
"We also seized explosive at one residence in Reno today," including 10 blasting caps and 20 feet of detonating cord, he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.