Obama Takes ATF Gun-Running Operation ‘Very Seriously,’ Spokesman Says

CNSNews ^ | 7/6/11 | Fred Lucas

[CNSNews]

Washington (CNSNews.com) – White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Tuesday deflected questions about a botched ATF sting operation that allowed guns to “walk” to Mexico, but he did tell reporters, “You could assume that the president takes this very seriously.”

As part of “Operation Fast and Furious,” the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives knowingly allowed some 2,000 guns purchased in the U.S. to flow to Mexican criminals – to see where they would end up. But ATF lost track of many of the weapons. Two of the “straw-purchased” guns were later found in Arizona, at the scene of a U.S. Border Patrol agent’s murder in December.

On Tuesday, Carney declined to answer whether ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson would testify about Operation Fast and Furious to Congress. A congressional oversight report indicated that people at the “highest levels” of the Justice Department knew about it.

[Joe Brower]

[jmacusa]

I’m sure the president takes this issue ‘’very seriously’’ of course. I;m sure he considers drugs ‘’very seriously’’. I think he very seriously takes drugs.