U.S. Customs and Border Protection
A machine gun seized by U.S. Customs and
Border Protection is seen Friday at the Pharr-
Reynosa International Bridge.
Posted on 02/09/2011 7:38:07 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
PHARR — Federal authorities arrested a 21-year-old Pharr man who allegedly tried to smuggle a machine gun into Mexico.
A Pharr police officer stopped Julio Cesar Ramirez's in a white 2006 Hummer H3 as he attempted enter the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, according to a criminal complaint.
The officer said he noticed a black gun case in the back seat of the Hummer and called U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to the scene.
Ramirez claimed he had no guns inside the vehicle, but when officers opened the case, they found a Browning .30-caliber machine gun with a tripod inside, the complaint states.
Ramirez told officers he had been threatened by unidentified gunmen in Reynosa, who threatened to harm him and his family if he failed to deliver the black case.
Ramirez claimed he picked up the case at a McAllen convenience store and was supposed to drop it off halfway across the Pharr bridge.
CBP turned Ramirez over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents, who continue to investigate the case, the complaint states. Agents said Ramirez told the same story about gunmen threatening his family, but could not give any other information that would corroborate his story.
CBP officers seized the machine gun and the Hummer.
The seized firearm, a Browning M1919A4, is a water-cooled, belt-fed machine gun first produced between 1919 and 1945. It was commonly used by the U.S. armed forces in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
How is that smuggling. It was on the back seat.
Their Wal-Marts have way better gun selections than in IL.
We can't even get a lousy 9mm sub-machine gun let alone a Browning 30 Cal. Machine Gun.
This would be perfect in our Dining Room.
That is an air cooled barrel in the picture.It does not match the description in article. Reporter laziness or Customs disinformation?
Do these people who write this crap ever heard of a Google search/images???.. it's AIR COOLED and a little easier to lug around
“Ramirez claimed he picked up the case at a McAllen convenience store...”
I’d go with the air cooled picture.
M1919A4, is a water-cooled, belt-fed machine gun...
the water would pour out of all them holes in the barrel? The writer of this piece, Jared Taylor, is a typical journeylist who doesn't know jack about weapons!
I dont think theres any evidence beyond appearance this weapon is a MG. A large number were converted to semi.
I wonder if the “Mexican gunmen” were in fact ATF, under Project Gunrunner.
is a Browning M1917, truly a water-cooled, belt-fed machine gun that was the predecessor of the M1919
Suuuure he did.
It was prolly on the shelf between the M60 and .50Cal Ma Deuce. And right across the aisle from the Claymores, Hand Grenades and Rocket Launchers. (and all the BAR's were at the front of the aisle in a 10% off Sale Display)
These Mexicans must think every American is as STOO-PID™ as Eric Holder and Janet 'Butch' Nappy is.
Ping!)))
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
I wonder if it was a true full auto or the semi auto version which is currently marketed and they are just calling it a “machine gun” to hype the seizure!
Mount that baby up in a stand, open bottle of whiskey, await good times.
Those weren’t no Mexican gunmen. Those were ATF agents!
Yea, RIGHT. What is the name of the store? Wall-Mart, Sports Authority? Much did it cost? Too many inconsistencies to believe this BS.
I’d think once I had the machine gun the leverage of people to make me do things would be greatly reduced.
I think the perspective in their dark, grainy photo makes the barrel shroud look fat and hides the holes in it, almost like an M1917 water-cooled Browning as is in your image. But you’re right, if they did size an M1919, it’s air-cooled.
That’s what I said, too (#10).
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.