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Posted on 03/21/2008 2:20:59 PM PDT by kiriath_jearim
BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Staten Island man was arrested Wednesday, March 19, 2008, by members of a federal gun task force for using a restricted federal firearms license (FFL) to illegally obtain handguns in New York City.
Julius Bowens, age 37 of 75 Kimberly Lane, Staten Island was arrested by members of the ATF Joint Firearms Task Force after the Task Force executed a controlled delivery of two (2) handguns at Bowens' residence.
The arrest was announced today by William G. McMahon, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department and Preston Felton, Acting Superintendent of the New York State Police.
Bowens was issued his FFL as a "Collector of Curios and Relics" (C&R license) in March 2007. This license entitled him to only collect specific firearms which are of special interest to collectors by reason of some quality other than is associated with firearms intended for sporting use or as offensive or defensive weapons.
Over the past year, Bowens used a computer to bid on and acquire handguns not covered under his FFL. He originally attempted to purchase a handgun from an individual in Florida, and when that person realized Bowens did not have the proper license, he notified ATF.
Further investigation disclosed that Bowens had tried to use the internet to obtain handguns from other FFL's in both Texas and Florida.
When these dealers asked to see Bowens' gun license, he backed off.
In July 2007, Bowens attempted to purchase a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol through an internet gun broker Web site. The seller, after viewing Bowens FFL, refused to transfer the weapon to him. Bowens then tried a second FFL in the same manner for two handguns but the results were the same as the first.
Ultimately, a licensed gun dealer in Florida did send Bowens a handgun.
In December 2007, Bowens was able to obtain a .357 caliber revolver which he is not authorized to obtain on his C&R license. The Florida FFL was interviewed by ATF and subsequently received a second order from Bowens on March 7, 2008. BOWENS sent a postal money order to R.A.K. Trading Corp., in Clearwater, Fla., in the amount of $260 for two handguns, a .380 caliber and 9 millimeter.
On March 18, the above-mentioned handguns were delivered to Bowens at his residence during a controlled delivery. The defendant signed for and took possession of the package. A consent search of his residence yielded an additional six (6) handguns. Agents were then able to secure a federal search warrant and, with the assistance of an ATF trained explosives detecting canine currently assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service, were able to uncover an additional two (2) handguns. The K-9s are trained to alert on explosives residue and therefore able to alert to the gunpowder residue still in the hidden firearms. All totaled, 10 handguns were seized in addition to over 600 rounds of ammunition, a laptop computer, various documents relating to the purchase and shipping of firearms, and two (2) ballistic vests.
Bowens appeared before a U.S. Magistrate in Brooklyn Federal Court where he was released on $20,000 personal recognizance bond. The government's case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant Brian Meagher, an attorney on the staff of Benton J. Campbell, United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York. The investigation is continuing. SAC McMahon would also like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service, EDNY for providing the explosives detecting canine.
The ATF Joint Firearms Task Force is a cooperative effort among ATF, the NYPD and the New York State Police to target illegal interstate firearms trafficking.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Boy I’m glad the ATF is protecting us from these horrible Gun Collectors.
Why the hell hasn’t that organization been disbanded and the black booted thugs in it jailed?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
“I don’t see a crime. Now you need a license to BUY a gun? Gee, why not prosecute people for buying donuts!”
****
One needs a Curio & Relics license (”C&R FFL) to buy firearms that the government has designated as “curios & relics”. These are obsolete firearms, though many of them do function. The BATFE has a long list of firearms that are considered “C&R” eligible. Other firearms that are not “C&R” eligible cannot be sold to a C&R licensee using the license. The licensee must undergo the usual Federal procedure, as do non-licensees, for buying a standard firearm.
I hate it when a hobby just gets out of control.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Let's put 'em on the border and let them chase illegals. They they'd have something useful to do.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Dang, {note to self-don’t buy handguns over the internet.}
What the heck does one get for going through all the B.S. of getting a FFL if they are going to lock you up when you use it?
The guy is truly guilty of stupidity for living in New York, purchasing firearms and leaving documentation. However, it appears his guns have still killed fewer people than some senator’s cars.
What federal law was violated, that bring federal law enforcement agents into the picture? It’t legal under federal law to buy .357s, even if you don’t have a C&R license.
S ierra
O scar
B ravos
You need to have an non C&R (regular) ffl license to have firearms delivered to you from outside your state. If you have a C&R the only firearms that can be delivered to you are those that are on the C&R list. If he had purchased the firearms and had them delivered to a regular dealer, he would not be in hot water.
The guy was using an antique firearms license to attempt to purchase modern firearms (handguns in this case) from out of state sellers. Pretty clear violations of the terms of his license and also in violation of the 1968 GCA as well as several subsequent regulations.
Different kind of license he has a C&R license which only allows you to have certain firearms to be delivered to your home. If the firearm is not on the C&R list he would have to buy it from or delivered to a regular dealer in his state.
he is allowed to buy only guns on a federally approved collectors list.
Something is fishy with this guy, obviously NOT a collector.
There are a lot of pistols on the list he could have bought.
Also there is no mention of a “collection” of fire arms, he seems to have been trying to use the 03 FFL illegally.
10 guns and 600 rounds?
That’s not a collection, that’s pitiful.
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