Posted on 06/06/2008 2:42:43 PM PDT by SecAmndmt
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan today apologized to Congressman Bill Sali and confirmed the agency reported inconsistent versions and details of a program giving agents engraved Leatherman tool kits.
(Excerpt) Read more at sali.house.gov ...
A great department to defund and abolish.
I believe that they had a change of heart. I trust them now.
Is there a reason why this is excerpted?!?
“I was pleased to receive this letter with its acknowledgement of the ATF’s responsibility for the confusing information released within the past two weeks,” Sali said. “My constituents deserve to know the truth about this marketing program, which has been interpreted by many Idahoans as anti-gun and anti-private property.”
The “Always Think Forfeiture” training program urges agents to focus on the seizure of private property.
“The fact remains that the ATF thought it was OK to think 'Always Think Forfeiture' instead of focusing on protecting our constitutional rights. While I appreciate Mr. Sullivan's apology and clarification, I will continue to monitor the actions of federal agencies and insist that they 'Always Think Freedom' going forward," said Sali.
I’m a relative newbie to posting...
As long as a percentage of forfeitures goes right into the ATF’s funds, they will prefer to focus on catching middle-class people in technical violations, in preference to going after actual criminals who have no assets to forfeit
This is from a GOA press release about Sullivan earlier this year:
“Gun Owners of America’s Executive Director, Larry Pratt, today blasted BATFE nominee Michael Sullivan as “unfit for office” — characterizing him as being “as anti-gun as Ted Kennedy.”
In a series of answers to interrogatories submitted by Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter, Sullivan revealed that:
* He would not rescind BATFE’s policy of revoking federal licenses for simple paperwork violations not involving “criminal intent;”
* He would not back down on BATFE’s illegal and abusive policies of harassing gun show attendees;
* He supports anti-gun legislation by New York Democrat Chuck Schumer, but opposes pro-gun legislation dealing with interstate transfers sponsored by conservative Republicans;
* He defends revoking a license of a dealer with a 99.96% accuracy rate — a rate which is far better than BATFE’s.
In fact, in dozens of responses to questions posed by Vitter, Sullivan refused to even feign a conciliatory tone.
“I didn’t expect pro-gun conservatism from Sullivan,” said Pratt. “But you would have thought he would have been less obvious in his efforts to repeatedly poke Vitter in the eye.”
GOA commended Vitter’s intention to continue to “hold” Sullivan’s nomination. “If Republicans expect the Second Amendment community to support their presidential candidate in November,” said Pratt, “they may want to reconsiderpacking a GOP administration with anti-gun zealots.” “
Fair 'nuff, and welcome to FR! :-) Just was confused, since the excerpting is for sources on this list of those who have complained about full posts. Unnecessary excerpting just makes it more difficult for readers, and doesn't create the record for the future.
I think that the whole story you posted is important, so I'm posting it here...
ATF acknowledges inconsistent story, offers apology to Sali
Agency provides clarification in letter
May 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan today apologized to Congressman Bill Sali and confirmed the agency reported inconsistent versions and details of a program giving agents engraved Leatherman tool kits.
“I apologize for the confusion caused to you and your office as a result of the email sent from ATF. … The information in that email was inaccurate,” wrote Sullivan.
“I was pleased to receive this letter with its acknowledgement of the ATF’s responsibility for the confusing information released within the past two weeks,” Sali said. “My constituents deserve to know the truth about this marketing program, which has been interpreted by many Idahoans as anti-gun and anti-private property.”
The “Always Think Forfeiture” training program urges agents to focus on the seizure of private property.
“The fact remains that the ATF thought it was OK to think 'Always Think Forfeiture' instead of focusing on protecting our constitutional rights. While I appreciate Mr. Sullivan's apology and clarification, I will continue to monitor the actions of federal agencies and insist that they 'Always Think Freedom' going forward," said Sali.
The Associated Press reported on May 16, 2008, “None of the engraved tools, stored in the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., have so far been distributed.” However, Mr. Sullivan clarified in his letter that over a two month period, “a total of 242 Leatherman mini-tools were distributed at various training classes and seminars.”
Although the program has been halted, and because ATF said the program complies with U.S. Department of Justice guidelines and federal law, Sali will soon introduce legislation that will prevent the ATF from distributing similarly engraved tools.
A copy of the letter is available upon request.
Agreed. But until that happens, one would think it would be reasonable to expect a Republican administration to give us at least a moderate BATFE director.
“In preference to going after actual criminals who” have nothing to lose, and therefore, will shoot back when “F-Troop” comes looking for them.
Sort of the same way they are about illegal immigration.
The upcoming DemonRat Congress is more likely to increase it's powers and funding. Neither President Obama or President McCain will do anything to stop that.
The money will be "found" in the military budget I'm sure.
I learned everything I needed to know about the BATF at Ruby Ridge and Waco.
I second that !............Doom on em !
From this thread I am too understand they engraved a bunch of leatherman tools with the agency motto .......”always think forfeiture” ?
The ATF has been a rogue agency for decades; the arrogance and incompetence of its personnel is exceeded only by their collective indifference both to justice and the constitutional rights of American citizens.
Kinda surprised they didn’t have “Meine Ehre heißt Treue” engraved in em.
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