VFW in Marcellus wants ATF to give back machine gun

ap ^ | 4-7-04

[Dan from Michigan]

Unbelievable

[El Gato]

We've got terrorists coming accross the border, north and south, and the BATFE has the time and manpower to raid the VFW?

[joesnuffy]

Four ATF agents and one state trooper arrived at the post with a search warrant for concealed weapons

How can property be guilty of carrying a concealed weapon?

[joesnuffy]

The real guilty ones according to our government seem to be those trying to hold officals to the constitution...
or interfer with their plans to tear down the borders between Canada and Mexico...of course without national sovereignty there will be no USA..so who needs a constitution anyway.

imo

[Lurker]

One just doesn't know where to start on this one.

I got a laugh out of 'we'd like to give it back.'

I do want to know more about the 'illegal dealing' involved with this. What's to my mind most likely is some collector gave the thing to the VFW without anyone filling out the required paperwork, paying the tax, and getting the stamp.

Dollars to donuts the folks at the VFW didn't even know if it was demilled or not.

I'm also unaware that Hiram Maxims invention was ever chambered in .50 caliber.

L

[ProudVet77]

The ATF and the DEA are two agencies that need to be removed. They have no respect for the constitution. And the guy that called them "jack booted thugs" wasn't very far off when you read this story.

[Dan from Michigan]

And the guy that called them "jack booted thugs"

That would be John Dingell of all people.

[an amused spectator]

Hey - do you want Maxim-carrying criminals to overrun the streets? Well, DO YOU? ;-)

[an amused spectator]

"When we got the orders to go to the VFW, we said, 'Oh God, that's the last thing we want to do,'" Hady said.

"We were just following orders..."

Why does that sound familiar? ;-)

[NRA Patriot 1976]

The German Maxim wasn't made in .50 cal in WWI. For one thing they use the metric system. Sheesh.

http://www.worldwar1.com/arm005.htm

See the real McCoy at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_machine_gun

[Army Air Corps]

Indeed. Just because something is legal doesn't mean that it is good, just, or moral. Slavery was legal, bans on "race mixing" were legal, etc.

Also, why aren't these twits doing something constructive with our money like, oh this is nutty, looking for gun smuggling terrorists or bomb-making psychos bent on actually snuffing scores of Americans. I guess it is just easier to hassle veterans than protecting the nation from criminals.

[Army Air Corps]

It was made in 7.95mm (close to .303in).

[liberty2004]

The BATF are baby and dog killers. Waco and Ruby Ridge.

exactly. this agency is the home of true sadists, who have very little understanding of the Constitution. Do any of these IDIOTS stop and think what they are doing? The agency is run by people who look at Americans as though we are their servants. They "always" first assume we are wrong. It is beyond contemptible. More and more, the Bush administration is a disappointment. Bush talks about Liberty abroad, yet people in his administration continuously steamroll over the innocent in this land. The Republicans in Congress spend MORE than the democrats -- very disappointing. It is astounding how much we believed things would be different having control of three branches, yet the Reps have shown they are weak minded men, with little appreciation for sacrifice and hard work. The respect for the Constitution must be sacred. Ever since Ruby Ridge, I always get chills reading anything about the BATF. It is a shameful organization, not one that our Founders would tolerate. Their arrogance is only exceeded by their disrespect for the Constitution and their abuse of innocent Americans; in this story, our Veterans.

[Enterprise]

It is always easier and more pleasant for Government agents to enforce the laws against those who are law abiding.

[liberty2004]

What's to my mind most likely is some collector gave the thing to the VFW without anyone filling out the required paperwork, paying the tax, and getting the stamp. Dollars to donuts the folks at the VFW didn't even know if it was demilled or not you make good points but miss the thrust of the wrong. These BATF thugs could have approached the situation with the "certainty" that there was no intent of wrongdoing on the part of the VFW. Instead, they act as they always do -- as jack booted thugs. Second, does anyone honestly think our Founders would intend all the ridiculous paperwork, stamps and taxes we must face to please the parasites in government? I remember in the late 80's the FAR Federal Acquisition Register was about 5600 pages of useless bureaucratic gobbledygook. I am sure it must be doubled by now. At any time, against anyone, government thugs can abuse the citizens of this great land. It is abominable and sad. Reagan was right, our children will have to fight the next revolution. Sad indeed.

[Lurker]

Actually it was the FBIs famous Hostage Roasting team who killed the babies at Waco, and an FBI sniper who shot Vicki Weaver at Ruby Ridge.

The US Marshalls were responsible for the murder of Randy Weavers son.

All the BATF did was illegally entrap Randy Weaver and lie to a Federal Judge in order to obtain the warrant that started the Waco fiasco.

I have no love for either agency, I just like to keep the facts straight.

L

[Covenantor]

All the BATF did was illegally entrap Randy Weaver and lie to a Federal Judge in order to obtain the warrant that started the Waco fiasco

With which they then proceded assault the Branch Davidians, media in tow. That first assault (IIRC) wounded Koresh and resulted in the deaths of 4 ATF agents which then set the attitude and tone of the rest of the siege and massacre.

[Gunslingr3]

The ATF and the DEA are two agencies that need to be removed. They have no respect for the constitution.

How could they have respect for the Constitution when they're not authorized by it?

[Gunslingr3]

Reagan was right, our children will have to fight the next revolution. Sad indeed.

Why leave it to your kids? Just start ignoring them.

"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against - then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now, that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with." ~Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged