BATFE TO RED'S: STOP EXPOSING US!

JPFO ^ | 7/26/07 | n/a

[kiriath_jearim]

We've been keeping our readers abreast of the trials endured by Red's Trading Post, Idaho's oldest gun shop, which has been targeted by the BATFE. You can read our previous updates on Red's (as well as links to news articles on this travesty) at www.jpfo.org/redstradingpost.htm or visit Red's own site at www.redstradingpost.com .

Despite having won an injuction to keep their business running, Red's is _still_ being harassed, seemingly because owner Ryan Horsley continues to speak publicly about the situation. On Tuesday of this week, David Codrea revealed in his "War on Guns" blog that BATFE agents "...had threatened [Ryan Horsley] that he needed to cease all blogging and keep their agents and inspectors free from being photographed or observed, or they would go to the judge and file a complaint of harassment."

You can read the blog and the complaint that the ATF subsequently filed against Horsley's exercise of the First Amendment here: http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/07/breaking-news-batfu-accuses-reds-of.html or http://tinyurl.com/2lv4ze .

We'd like to draw your attention especially to the line "...videotaping and photographing of ATF personnel is not disallowed by law or regulation; howevever, the use of those images ... are subject to certain restrictions." Considering the number of newsclips in which the ATF is featured bursting heroically into a houseful of alleged terrorists, those restrictions on video or photographs apparently only apply when they show the ATF in a bad light.

As desperately afraid the ATF is of having their firearms tests documented by videotape, one can hardly be surprised by this attitude.

We also found the following statement interesting: "[After an employee videotaped an inspection] Red's was notified that these images were not to be used _for any documentary_ or without the consent of the ATF." (emphasis ours). JPFO has produced two documentaries that show the BATFE in a bad light, _BATFE Fails the Test_ ( http://shop.jpfo.org/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=38 ) and _The Gang_ ( www.thegangmovie.com ). BATFE knows this, and knows that we've been closely monitoring the situation at Red's. Could this have been a ploy to prevent us from publicizing Red's case in a future documentary?

We urge you to read the complaint. The ATF wants to hide its dirty deeds -- it's up to us to expose them for what they are. Share the links with everyone you know, and remember: the more people who see _The Gang_, the sooner we can shut down this rogue agency.

- The Liberty Crew

[Lurker]

It's time to send another check to the good Rabbi. I love the JPFO.

L

[Weeedley]

The rogue BATF is under the DOJ and Gonzo is notoriously anti-gun. None of this harrassment is surprising.

[Anti-Christ is Hillary]

I love America!!!!!! I especially love it when her citizens rise up and slap down these jackasses working for the government. lolol

[beltfed308]

As desperately afraid the ATF is of having their firearms tests documented by videotape, one can hardly be surprised by this attitude.

Along with the fact there are no published standards for the tests. That this is allowed to continue is crazy.

[DaveyB]

...hese images were not to be used _for any documentary_ or without the consent of the ATF...

Any action performed in public can be filmed and used in a documentary. Public officials are by definition public peoples during the performance of their public duties. The public has an interest in seeing how the agents are performing at their jobs. The ATF has no special legal standing, unless they are working undercover, to receive privacy that would not be afforded John Q Public. The news makes a living off of taping people who would not like to be taped and some jurisdictions are taping cars at intersections and pedestrians on the sidewalks etc. and liberally sharing with broadcast outlets.

The ATF just wants to function like the Gestapo intimidating citizens without recourse. Shame on them and shame on the executive branch (Jorge that's you!) for not policing your own police. Although you did imprison a couple of border agents for shooting at a drug running thug, but that's a different thread.

[Emmett McCarthy]

Great - alcohol, tobacco and firearms?

Who’s bringing the chips?

[dashing doofus]

This attitude helps explain why the t-shirt that says

"ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND FIREARMS: Should be a convenience store, not a government agency"

is such a hit.

[dashing doofus]

Oh: the shirt:

http://www.thoseshirts.com/atf.html

[MrB]

Similarly - any cop that hides his badge number with tape, or who demands that you not record his actions - is UP TO NO GOOD.

We as citizens need not subscribe to the idea of “if you are doing nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide” - but public officials should be completely subject to it.

[theBuckwheat]

Can anyone post comments about the enforceability of a demand to not videotape government employees in public.

[Joe Brower]

One observation I make of this is how the ATF's current woes are an unintended circumstance of a digital age where almost everyone has a camera on them, and very capable ones at that.

Legally, it appears there's little these agents can do at present; current law doesn't directly forbid their actions being filmed by members of the general public, although I'm sure there will be some attempts at charging individuals with "interfering with an ongoing investigation" or somesuch. That, and the risk of intensifying the situation even more by more overt physical confrontation.

In any case, I'm sure that the current crop of dems in DC are probably all too happy to enact legislation preventing the recording of ATF activities in the future.

[Squantos]

Criminals are...... with or without a badge............treat em like the trash they are........

JPFO is a great site indeed !!

[dashing doofus]

There are what is known as “two party states,” where both parties involved in the taping (video and or audio) must consent to the recording. Sometimes the consent must we written.

There was a local story about this a while back in a town near me. Below is an excerpt, but be very wary of taping police — many people have been arrested on grounds of illegal taping, though some have been arrested for interfering with a police officer. But it all comes down to not wanting public accountability, IMO.

From the Nashua Telegraph:

Man charged after videotaping police

By ANDREW WOLFE, Telegraph Staff
awolfe@nashuatelegraph.com

Published: Thursday, Jun. 29, 2006

ENLARGE PHOTO

Staff Photo by COREY PERRINE
Michael Gannon stands outside his house on Morgan Street where he videotaped a detective who had come to his house investigating his 15-year-old son Tuesday in Nashua. Gannon said the detective was rude, and brought a surveillance tape to the Nashua Police Station to file a complaint. Instead, police arrested him, telling him he had violated New Hampshire’s eavesdropping and wiretap laws.

NASHUA – A city man is charged with violating state wiretap laws by recording a detective on his home security camera, while the detective was investigating the man’s sons.

Michael Gannon, 49, of 26 Morgan St., was arrested Tuesday night, after he brought a video to the police station to try to file a complaint against Detective Andrew Karlis, according to Gannon’s wife, Janet Gannon, and police reports filed in Nashua District Court.

Police instead arrested Gannon, charging him with two felony counts of violating state eavesdropping and wiretap law by using an electronic device to record Karlis without the detective’s consent.

[basil]

Now would be a great time to order both of JPFO's DVD's. Aaron Zelman is allowing Second Amendment Sisters to offer both of his productions, The Gang, and Innocents Betrayed for the usual price of $29.95 for both, including postage. This offer will only last for a couple of weeks.

To take advantage of this deal, please click on our logo below.

[basil]

Sheesh! What I meant to say was that you can get both DVD’s for the usual price of one ($29.95).

[o_zarkman44]

Sunshine laws pertain to any meeting of public officials that determine public policy decisions.

There is no such thing as a private official.

Any person in a public place can be photographed or videotaped without express permission. This is right out of the FBI and Police handbooks. As long as the taping is not reproduced for profit. Although speeding ticket cameras could be considered for profit.
Rogue cops need to be exposed using their own tricks against the people they harass.

[Leatherneck_MT]

“We as citizens need not subscribe to the idea of “if you are doing nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide” - but public officials should be completely subject to it.”

We as Citizens need to start standing up to these jack booted thugs and slapping their wanna be bad boy asses down at every single opportunity. Film them, record them, watch them like hawks and every move they make make it public.

[xp38]

a hit for sure :)

[Inquisitive1]

The rogue BATF is under the DOJ and Gonzo is notoriously anti-gun.

His job is not to impose his personal beliefs under the color of law: it's to 'uphold and defend the constitution of the United States to the best of his ability.'