It's more that that,it's a actual felony. Federal law REQUIRES a gun dealer to report ALL stolen weapons,and failure to do so is a felony for EACH GUN MISSING. This means a minimum of 238 federal felony charges can be filed against the gun shop owners.
If the claims are right, and Bull's Eye did "lose" 238 firearms, it's more than just a little negligent.
It would almost have to be a criminal conspiracy. I don't see how this could be a innocent mistake.
As for Bushmaster, continuing to supply Bull's Eye with firearms, despite the many failed BATF audits, I wasn't under the impression that BATF informed vendors of the results of the audits. Am I wrong?
No,you are not wrong. Bushmaster is a target of the suit because that is where the deep pockets are,and for political reasons.
But Bushmaster? Unless they received a letter from the BATF advising them that Bull's Eye was violating the law, and continued to supply them with firearms, regardless, I see no grounds for negligence, or any liability at all.
They are being sued because they have the money,and because the gun-controllers want to establish a precedent to put gun manufacturers out of business. They know it's a BS charge,but it doesn't cost them anything to throw it out there,and they can always hope that one day they hit a jackpot with the right jury and judge. Crap like this would end NOW if companies like Bushmaster were able to sue THEM for damages related to their bogus law suits.
The only real case of negligence I see here is on the part of the BATF.
What WERE they doing?
Good question. One I would like to hear a answer to.
You have more credibility so I'll take your word for it, but some liberal crybaby last week wrote an article claiming that the Reagan administration 'crippled' the BATF and the most serious offense that they can charge now is only a misdemeanor.