BREAKING! Rep. Young wants ATF explanation about AK records checks

Seattle Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 25 April, 2012 | Dave Workman

[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.

[marktwain]

The DOJ does not have a good record when it comes to preventing the ATF from breaking the law.

[Gaffer]

There is no further proof needed that this government is your enemy.

[Paladin2]

The BATFE is likely concerned that the records could be suddenly lost in fires or floods or windstorms or eaten by gun shop dogs.

[Oberon]

There is no further proof needed that this government is your enemy.

And it's not just this administration, either. ATF was just as likely to pull crap like this under Clinton or the Bushes.

[Nachum]

The list, Ping

Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list

http://www.nachumlist.com/

[CodeToad]

People need to tell the ATF to get bent. Governors and Sheriffs need to get involved and arrest any agent attempting to threaten their citizens or violate federal laws.

[MestaMachine]

Of interest ping.
What’s up with this?

[MestaMachine]

Of interest ping.
What’s up with this?

[Dead Corpse]

Last word I heard went like this...

At least 4 different AK gun stores were visited by local ATF. Demanded bound books and left with them. Very much against Federal law. 3 of the 4 complied and the last one told 'em to get bent. They are getting harassed now with audits, etc...

Past due time to do away with the unConstitutional ATF. They had a valid mission when all they were doing was collecting a tax. THAT IS NO LONGER THEIR MAIN DUTY. Their main job these days is enforcing every blatant infringement we've allowed Congress to dream up and harm us with.

This must stop.

[stephenjohnbanker]

This has been going on for a few months. I would call my sheriff, if they pulled this on me.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Enough is enough. There is no (clean) reason to demand these hardcover docs.

[familyop]

So they’re walking firearms to Canada now, too?

[advertising guy]

where you gonna be Sept 1st ?

[Dead Corpse]

Exactly. This was a blatantly criminal action by this ATF office. A Federal FELONY.

Every person whose 4473 information was stolen needs to file charges against those ATF agents.

[LucyT]

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.

"The BATFE is likely concerned that the records could be suddenly lost in fires or floods or windstorms or eaten by gun shop dogs."

(Thanks for the pings.)

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Every person whose 4473 information was stolen needs to file charges against those ATF agents. “

THAT I would love to see. Most of my friends carry...and they are “clean” back to the fetus!

[bert]

That is a baseless allegation.

No record has been presented of such a groundless speculation

[precisionshootist]

Well that's good on this congressman but he needs to know a couple things.

1. Asking questions and demanding answers from the ATF will get you exactly squat.

2. Stating a goal of making sure this never happens again will GUARANTEE it WILL happen again, repeatedly and more egregiously.

3. The only way to deal with these ATF agents is to set up a sting operation and ARREST THEM! That's right, have gun shop owners wear a wire and with law enforcement outside listening when the ATF agent demands to see and copy 4473 records you move in and ARREST THE ATF AGENTS ON THE SPOT.

These people do not care about losing their jobs or getting caught. They are willing to take that chance and violate the constitution and break the law on the off chance they could get caught. Most of the time a simple apology and then a lucrative promotion will be the only consequence.

We have got to start fighting fire with MORE FIRE. The ATF is a criminal unconstitutional agency.

Sorry for the rant but congressmen like this and their tough talk is a waste of time. We need to put the sting to these crooks. They will back down when they see a few of their buddies lives destroyed with criminal records and jail time.

[Paladin2]

The BATF should be repurposed with the elimination of alcohol, tobacco, firearm and explosive use in Hollywood movies and TV shows.

[marktwain]

That is a baseless allegation. No record has been presented of such a groundless speculation

It was common under the Clinton administration. I did not hear of it under the Bush administration.