ATF Knew Gunman Stockpiled Ammo

L.A. Times ^ | 9/8/2001 | JOSH MEYER

[Redcloak]

Shootout: Pasadena gun shop invoices revealed numerous purchases, but search wasn't attempted at James Beck's home until 14 months later, with fatal results.

Agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms learned more than a year ago that a convicted felon had illegally purchased thousands of rounds of ammunition, a disclosure that raises questions about the investigative procedures that resulted in a shootout at the man's home that left a sheriff's deputy dead and terrorized a neighborhood.

[Redcloak]

Another example of BATF grandstanding? Why quietly arrest the guy 14 months ago when you can turn the case into a photo-op? Does this sound familiar? It ought to. They passed up similarly boring arrest opportunities with David Koresh. This case, while showing the same penchant for pyrotechnics, wasn't nearly as bloody. They only got two people killed this time.

[Redcloak]

BANG!

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I was not aware there was a federal limit on the amount of ammunition one could own. Are we now under the "Barney Fife rule?" - One gun, one cartridge?

[Hugin]

I smell a new anti-gun propaganda capaign here. Look out for this to be used as an excuse for new laws regulating the number of rounds of ammo you can own without an "arsenal liciense". Thousands of rounds? That's a couple hundred dollars worth of surplus military ammo, mabye thirty dollars worth of .22 long rifle. Never mind that even one round owned by a felon is a federal crime that carries a 5 year sentence.

[Hugin]

I was not aware there was a federal limit on the amount of ammunition one could own.

There is if you are a felon. Technically you can get 5 years in prison for each round if you are.

[Howie]

Can your girlfriend own ammo or guns? I remember G Gordon Liddy laughing about his "wife's" gun collection.

[Mulder]

So now thousands of rounds is "stockpiling"?

[Redcloak]

One round is a stockpile for a felon like this guy. Why didn't the Feds pounce on him earlier? Not newsworthy back then?

[Redcloak]

More likely that they'll want to track ammo sales to "close the loophole" that "allowed" this guy to purchase ammo.