In Border States, BATFE Asks: "May We See Your Guns?"

[vbrtrmn 167]

FYI...

 

In Border States, BATFE Asks: "May We See Your Guns?"

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=4990

 

Friday, June 19, 2009

 

 

NRA-ILA has recently received several calls from NRA members in border states who have been visited or called by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In some cases, agents have asked to enter these people's homes, and requested serial numbers of all firearms the members possess.

 

In each case, the agents were making inquiries based on the number of firearms these NRA members had recently bought, and in some cases the agents said they were asking because the members had bought types of guns that are frequently recovered in Mexico.

 

This kind of questioning may or may not be part of a legitimate criminal investigation. For example, when BATFE traces a gun seized after use in a crime, manufacturers' and dealers' records will normally lead to the first retail buyer of that gun, and investigators will have to interview the buyer to find out how the gun ended up in criminal hands. But in other cases, the questioning may simply be based on information in dealers' records, with agents trying to "profile" potentially suspicious purchases.

 

On the other hand, some of the agents have used heavy-handed tactics. One reportedly demanded that a gun owner return home early from a business trip, while another threatened to "report" an NRA member as "refusing to cooperate." That kind of behavior is outrageous and unprofessional.

 

Whether agents act appropriately or not, concerned gun owners should remember that all constitutional protections apply. Answering questions in this type of investigation is generally an individual choice. Most importantly, there are only a few relatively rare exceptions to the general Fourth Amendment requirement that law enforcement officials need a warrant to enter a home without the residents' consent. There is nothing wrong with politely, but firmly, asserting your rights.

If BATFE contacts you and you have any question about how to respond, you may want to consult a local attorney. NRA members may also call NRA-ILA's Office of Legislative Counsel at (703) 267-1161 for further information. Whether contacting a local attorney or NRA, be sure to provide as many details as possible, including the date, time, and location, agent's name, and specific questions asked.

[BuffetDestroyer 969]

Never relinquish personal information over the phone (i.e. serial numbers or how many and what type of weapons you have)!

 

If it is an actual agent at my doorstep, I would check identification thoroughly. I would ask what it is regarding before either agreeing to cooperate or calling my lawyer.

 

If they give me a serial number and weapon description of one I have or had (especially Form 1 or 3 items), then I would be happy to show them the weapon or FFL that I transferred it to.

 

Otherwise, it isn't anyone's business, including the ATF.

[Azrial 1,091]

Just tell them "No," if they have a right to be there they will come back with a warrant.

[yakdung 2,926]

If anyone knocks on your door and you are asked "May we come in?" The answer is no thanks. Step onto the porch and lock the door behind you and leave.

 

Yakdung

[Vultite 57]

Well, asking is better then forcefully demanding, but these people may also have been flagged for buying "X" guns in "X" amount of time...I don't remember the rule, but it doesn't take much....

[uzitiger 193]

I sure don't want these junior Nazis showing up at my door.

 

I've read about BATFE abuses for over 30 years since I became a gun owner. Soldier of Fortune called them "America's Gestapo" and the American Rifleman used to report ATF abuses in the past. All one has to do is look at what they did in Waco to the Branch Davidian cult which they massacred after the members fought off a failed publicity raid. They cut off their water and sewage and blasted them with loud music until they gassed the children to death and burned the residence (compound). They later produced the 'illlegal' weapons recovered to Congress which looked new. Had the weapons really been recovered there they would have been rusty and the wood burned away. The government bulldozed the evidence and closed off the area where the atrocity

occurred.

 

I also heard one of the mothers who worked in the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City who lost two babies on the radio in Detroit and she said "I wonder why the BATF didn't have their children in the day care center that day" and when the radio host asked her to clarify herself she froze with fear and was too frightened to say anything else.

 

There's a reason that JPFO calls the BATFE "the Gang". They are a gang which unfortunately the Federal government allows to trample our rights.

Edited June 28, 2009 by uzitiger

[22_Shooter 1,560]

Just tell them "No," if they have a right to be there they will come back with a warrant.

 

This is what I'm thinking too.

 

99% of the time, if someone knocks on my door, and I don't know them, I won't even answer it anyway. I think all these years of putting up with the "Hi, I'm from "such-n-such" company....blah, blah, blah....are you interested in....blah, blah, blah" type of knock-knocks.

[G O B 3,516]

"Can we search your house for guns?" - "Can I search your wifes underwear for crotch crickets?" - "Don't get smart with me!" - "Fair enough,but will you get smart and leave, if you had a warrant you would not ask,so you are obviously trying to see if i am stupid enough to just let you destroy my house. So GO AWAY!"