Posted on 04/26/2012 9:30:14 AM PDT by marktwain
Alaska Congressman Don Young today demanded to know why agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been asking gun shop owners in the 49th State for copies of their gun sales records.
As this column reported, ATF agents had contacted gun shops in Anchorage for the bound books which contain information on gun buyers. Federal law prohibits federal agents from doing that, and they know it. Gun rights activists across the Northwest are furious.
The situation has caused an uproar in the firearms community, and Young – a member of the National Rifle Association Board of Directors – is adamant in his two-page letter that he wants answers. Here is a press release Young’s office forwarded to this column:
Rep. Young Demands Answers from ATF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today, Alaskan Congressman Don Young called on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to explain why its agents have been visiting Alaskan gun dealers and asking for copies of their gun sale records (bound books and 4473 forms). While BATFE agents are permitted to conduct routine compliance inspections, federal law strictly forbids the removal or copying of a Federal Firearms Licensee’s (FFLs) records. “Despite what the law clearly states, I’ve heard from several Alaska gun shop owners who are being hassled by the ATF,” said Rep. Young. “As I have told the gun shop owners, the ATF has no right to either copy or remove their records and if any attempt is made, they should refuse it.” Over the past 30 years, Congress has consistently passed legislation prohibiting the collection of information from gun dealers that would go towards the creation of a list/database of gun owners. In 2011, that prohibition was made permanent.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
I want to know the names of the dealers that folded, and the one that held. Being that I live in Alaska and all, it would help me to select a dealer. I want to do business with those who stand up for America and not do business with those who lay down for thugs.
“The DOJ does not have a good record when it comes to preventing the ATF from breaking the law.”
The DOJ is one self serving screwup anymore, Seems that it serves Ocommie best of all!
The proper response to any request from a representative of the federal government is a demand to see their warrant or other court order.
If one can open a channel for off-site recording, I'd go a step beyond, and say that legitimate ATF agents are forbidden from attempting to copy or remove the records without a court order; anyone seeking to do so will, by definition, not be a legitimate agent acting on legitimate basis. Attempting to perform an illegitimate action by threat of force constitutes robbery, and robbers will be dealt with as such.
It is 4/30....
actually it is 1/2 of 4/30................lol
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