Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Traders Gun Shop Told to Close June 1(more jackbooted batfe abuse)
http://www.ebpublishing.com/ ^ | 5 18 06 | Jim Knowles

Posted on 05/18/2006 6:22:58 AM PDT by freepatriot32

Traders Sports, one of the biggest gun dealers in the state, hopes a hearing in U.S. District Court next week will keep them in business.

Traders has been under scrutiny for several years by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), which is trying to shut down the gun dealer. The ATF decided to revoke Traders gun permit on June 1. After an audit in 2003, the ATF claims that Traders can’t account for 1,767 weapons, and that guns sold at Traders turn up in crimes at an alarming rate.

ATF spokeswoman Marti McKee said she couldn’t comment on the hearing, which is coming up next Thursday, May 25 in San Francisco before Judge Vaughn Walker.

Traders’ owner Tony Cucchiara also declined to comment on the hearing, deferring questions to his lawyer, Malcolm Segal.

The gun shop claims the ATF’s figures don’t add up because of human error, filling out paperwork wrong. They also say the ATF is unfairly targeting the store and going beyond reasonable annual inspections.

“The law allows one inspection a year — that’s a law passed by Congress — and the ATF inspected twice in one year,” said Segal.

Segal said the ATF decided to close Traders after their own hearing in which they used records going back 30 years.

“The errors they claim are really human errors,” Segal said. “Any time there are thousands of transactions with serial numbers in dozens of digits, there is always bound to be human error.”

The ATF initially claimed in its audit that Traders couldn’t account for 7,477 weapons, but the number in the final account was reduced to 1,767. Customers going to Traders this week tended to be on the gun shop’s side.

“I don’t like what they’re doing because it’s a good store,” said Sonny Verde, who comes from Marin County to shop at Traders. “They should go after the criminals not the gun stores.”

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice filed papers saying that guns sold by Traders have been recovered in a crime at a rate of nearly one per day.

About one in every eight guns sold by Traders between 2003 and 2005 has wound up in a crime, the second highest number of guns traced to crimes of any dealer in the nation, according to the Department of Justice.

In 1994, Muckraker magazine featured a story on Traders, listing violations found by the ATF going back to 1970, including sales to people who couldn’t legally buy guns and “straw sales,” which is a purchase by a legal buyer who turns the gun over to someone who can’t legally buy a gun.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: abuse; atf; banglist; batfe; close; donutwatch; govwatch; gunshop; jackbooted; jackbootedthugs; jbt; june1; libertarians; more; rkba; to; told; traders
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 301-315 next last
To: jmc813

That is not what he said. He said he would sign it if Congress reauthorized it.

Oh, and 99% of Americans are neither pro-gun nor pro-2d. I would say 55-60% tops.


61 posted on 05/18/2006 1:25:48 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: freepatriot32

The ATF is the last bastion of Clintonistas.

When has anyone ever heard of Bush putting conservatives in charge of this runaway domestic terrorist group?


62 posted on 05/18/2006 1:28:06 PM PDT by Prost1 (We can build a wall, we can evict - "Si, se puede!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit
Oh, and 99% of Americans are neither pro-gun nor pro-2d. I would say 55-60% tops.

I totally agree with that. Sorry if I was misleading.

63 posted on 05/18/2006 1:38:10 PM PDT by jmc813 (The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit
Somehow the other gunshops across the land manage to avoid making such egregious errors and do follow the law. ATF operates under federal law.


Somehow, the cops can follow any responsible motorist and find cause for a dozen infractions. The IRS can rectally examine any diligent taxpayer and find cause for penalties.

The difference with the ATF is that they are famous as dishonest scumbags. I'll believe an unknown accused before a known liar.

And considering that the rules they are enforcing are ones that I oppose, I certainly don't care about whether they were even violated.
64 posted on 05/18/2006 1:38:43 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Stone Mountain

It's also unusual to have that many crime-scene gun traces, too....one in eight?



That fraction would seem to depend on whether there was a lot of crime in the area, and not based on the bookkeeping skills of the gun shop.

Oakland?


65 posted on 05/18/2006 1:41:43 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

I have been driving for 45 years and have NEVER been pulled over without legitimate cause. Perhaps you should remove the "Cops Are Pigs" bumpersticker off your car.


66 posted on 05/18/2006 2:07:40 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit
I have been driving for 45 years and have NEVER been pulled over without legitimate cause. Perhaps you should remove the "Cops Are Pigs" bumpersticker off your car.


I and many I know have been, and with no such stickers, or disfavored race, etc.

My wife just was. Some motorcycle cop jerk decided he wanted to pass her, and he was unable, so had to fall in behind her (she was 15 under the limit, slowing for a red light, unaware of his intentions. Never having gotten ahead of her, he ticketed her for "following too close." A laughable charge from a corrupt liar. We'll see ho he testilies in court. There is NO traffic cop who does not do that as a matter of routine to get convictions in traffic court. NONE.
67 posted on 05/18/2006 2:31:17 PM PDT by Atlas Sneezed (Your FRiendly FReeper Patent Attorney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

At least she wasn't charged with "Mopery with Intent to gawk." Seriously though I am sorry to hear of your troubles.


68 posted on 05/18/2006 2:38:13 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: RonF

The BATFags should not even EXIST. It is not now or ever any business of the government who has sold what firearm to whom, period. If someone commits a crime using a weapon, PUNISH THE CRIME. Alcohol, Tobacci, Firearms and Explosives should be on a convnience store menu, NOT A GOVERNMENT AGENCY!


69 posted on 05/18/2006 5:34:32 PM PDT by dcwusmc (The government is supposed to fit the Constitution, NOT the Constitution fit the government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit

"Not so idiotic as to Bush is not pro 2d amendment or to believe in the Globaloney crap the kooks try and peddle to the gullible.

As I said "you don't even know what a globalist is"."

You lack coherency.

Again, if Bush is pro 2nd then why does he allow the ATF to run wild?

Globalism is real, read the newspaper, read UN announcements, look at the world around you. You might cut down on the booze too.


70 posted on 05/18/2006 6:14:33 PM PDT by driftdiver
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: dcwusmc

The whole concept of having one bureau oversee booze, guns, and cigars seems amazing to me, anyway. It sounds like a role John Belushi was born to play.


71 posted on 05/18/2006 8:26:53 PM PDT by RonF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: driftdiver

It is extremely clear that the Globaloneyists don't have a clue and their crackpot political theories are more full of holes than a slice of swiss cheese. You are no exception as your inability to tell me what a "globalist" is shows. Beyond being a nice nonsensical buzz word favored by those lacking in fundamental understanding of political economy the word has no meaning to serious students of world affairs.

It is like an animist belief that Evil Spirits control affairs and is persisted in by those with a preference for kook theories rather than scientific and logical analysis.


72 posted on 05/18/2006 9:47:43 PM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit
Your link is to an online store.

You must have clicked on a different link. The link in my post 27 goes straight to the radio interview i just clicked it and listened to it again

73 posted on 05/19/2006 12:44:08 AM PDT by freepatriot32 (Holding you head high & voting Libertarian is better then holding your nose and voting republican)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: justshutupandtakeit

"It is extremely clear that the Globaloneyists don't have a clue and their crackpot political theories are more full of holes than a slice of swiss cheese"

ok, so put down that beer and name one of those theories that are full of holes. Then provide a source where I support that theory.

"Beyond being a nice nonsensical buzz word favored by those lacking in fundamental understanding of political economy the word has no meaning to serious students of world affairs."

And an ostrich thinks its invisible when its really only hiding its head.

"It is like an animist belief that Evil Spirits control affairs and is persisted in by those with a preference for kook theories rather than scientific and logical analysis."

You're good with name calling but seriously lacking in facts. Again, put down the beer professor. Your argument may be adequate in the academic world but it doesnt make it out here in the real world.


74 posted on 05/19/2006 3:47:00 AM PDT by driftdiver
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: harpseal; TexasCowboy; AAABEST; Travis McGee; Squantos; Shooter 2.5; wku man; SLB; ...
I am continuing to compile a list of FreeRepublic folks who are interested in RKBA topics. FReepmail me if you want to be added.

Conversely, if you want off my ping-list, let me know.

And my apologies for any redundant pings.

Click the Gadsden flag for pro-gun resources!

75 posted on 05/19/2006 6:04:09 AM PDT by Joe Brower (The Constitution defines Conservatism. *NRA*)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: durasell
That's just moronic. There's no reason why there can't be certified software available to do it. I can see gun stores scanning in a barcode on the box to enter the serial number of the firearm, then scanning in a driver's license for the customer information. Then re-enter by hand as a double-check.

Actually, there is. A gun store owner can go online and enter all the information that you fill out in your paperwork. However, ATF still requires paper hardcopies of everything and the little book has to be filled out too.

76 posted on 05/19/2006 7:14:06 AM PDT by Inyo-Mono (Life is like a cow pasture, it's hard to get through without stepping in some mess. NRA.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

Actually, the area that my brother-in-law's store is at is a very high crime area in Arizona. I don't have any statistics, but I would guess that the crime rate is worse in his area than in San Francisco, and would probably rival some of the areas in East Oakland... Crime is definitely an ongoing concern of the residents there.


77 posted on 05/19/2006 8:47:44 AM PDT by Stone Mountain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Joe Brower
They can't take our guns, so they will pick off dealers and manufacturers one by one until there is no place left to buy firearms.

Then all they need to do is arbitrarily change the law again requiring all transfers be done through a then non-existant dealer.

78 posted on 05/19/2006 8:48:45 AM PDT by Dead Corpse (I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: freepatriot32

Knee jerk reaction.


79 posted on 05/19/2006 8:52:15 AM PDT by verity (The MSM is comprised of useless eaters)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba

I should also add that I defintiely agree with you in that the statistic is somewhat meaningless without a comparison of other store statistics in the Bay Area... Still 1 in 8 sounds like a lot to me just off the top of my head. But if I were to learn that all the Bay Area stores have around a 1 in 10 rate, I wouldn't see that as that bad. However, if other stores are closer to 1 in 50 or less, then that would indicate to me that criminals are selecting this store disproportionately to purchase their guns, and I would have to ask why. If they are consistently not sending in correct paperwork or allowing customers to get away with a little fudging of data on their applications,it would make it harder to trace weapons that were used in a crime,and that could be a reason for the high crime stats.


80 posted on 05/19/2006 8:54:23 AM PDT by Stone Mountain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 301-315 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson