Threats overt and covert are made during these chats, the coercion factor is high, and they work things so that the citizen feels heavy pressure to “volunteer”.
They are not using the volunteers to find the perpetrator, they are narrowing the group of people they need to strongarm into getting their firearm tested and inspected, while they are inside the courthouse or governmnet building, where some subtle interrogation can be applied without the bother of a warrant.
They can come to my house. I can ask if they have a warrant. If they so no then they can leave. If they want to question me I say sure, with my lawyer present. If they ask why I need a lawyer I say the same reason so many of their fellow officers ask for one or a union rep when a cop is called in for a hearing.
I have a friend that got rounded up in a bad situation just like that. FBI showed up cause he sold parts similar to one used in a crime across the country.
The lawyer fees weren’t pleasant. The lawyer fees were *REQUIRED* due to the constant threats and intimidation.
Those 15 people are in for a world of hell for months and maybe years.