Replies

"Also: HEADS UP MARYLAND (and NO. VA)- We have received information from several sources in the Maryland area that certain gun owners are being contacted by persons claiming to be from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms asking (read: demanding) to "borrow" firearms for ballistic fingerprinting as part of the DC sniper investigation. Those that do not comply are threatened with a visit from the folks sporting the basic black dress code."

I was contacted on tuesday by a man who said he was with the FBI and was contacting all AR-15 and Mini-14 gun owners in Maryland and did I still own these guns and would I be willing to answer a few questions if they felt it was neccessary to interview me. I asked him how did he know I purchased the guns he was questioning me about and I was under the impression Maryland was not allowed to keep records on gun purchases. He said that they were using the hard copy of the original disclosure form I filled out when I purchased the guns over 10 years ago and these records were obtained from the Maryland State Police and it was perfectly legal for him to contact gun owners in Maryland. He did not ask me anything about ballistic fingerprinting my guns. I told him he could interview me anytime he wanted and gave him the phone number where I could be reached during the day. He said Thank You and hung up. An insurance adjuster that frequently writes estimates on wrecked cars at my shop, told me he was also contacted by the FBI and was questioned in the same manner I was. He didn't mention any request to fingerprint his guns either.