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| Copyright 2011, National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action. ~Lordhawke |
Showing posts with label 2nd Amendment Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2nd Amendment Issues. Show all posts
Monday, October 31, 2011
REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU VOTE!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Activist Glenn Spencer: ATF Promotes It's Own Involved in 'Fast & Furious' Scandal
More info:
ATF promotes supervisors in ‘Fast and Furious’ operation
http://newmexicoindependent.com/71126/atf-promotes-supervisors-in-fast-and-furious-operation
ATF's 'Fast and Furious' firearms tracked to at least 11 violent crimes
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-naw-atf-guns-crimes-20110816,0,2290351.story
Saturday, August 13, 2011
UNITED KINGDOM MAYHEM LEAVES DISARMED CITIZENS AT THE MERCY OF CRIMINALS
From NRA-ILA Alerts:
"By now you have seen the headlines and images of destruction: the rioting, looting, violent assaults, and arson. London and other UK cities look like war zones and their citizens are afraid to venture out, because the danger is very real. It’s a view of the temporary breakdown of society. It is gut check time; a time when the concept of being able to defend oneself gives way to the stark reality that few viable options to do so exist.
Gun laws in the UK are among the most restrictive in the world. In March of 1996, a deranged man walked into a school in Dunblane, Scotland and killed 16 children and one teacher. In the aftermath of this tragedy, British politicians sought to reduce violent crime by enacting a ban on all handguns. Handgun owners were given a February 1998 deadline to turn in their firearms--and they did. The UK was supposed to become a much safer place--but dramatic increases in crime following the gun ban proved it didn't.
A July 3, 2009, Daily Mail article reported that "Britain's violent crime record is worse than any other country in the European Union, it has been revealed. Official crime figures show the U.K. also has a worse rate for all types of violence than the U.S. and even South Africa."
Do you still think those who want stricter Firearms laws and Registration schemes have your best interests at heart? For those who think this way, you have my sympathy for being a "Useful Idiot"!
~Lordhawke
"By now you have seen the headlines and images of destruction: the rioting, looting, violent assaults, and arson. London and other UK cities look like war zones and their citizens are afraid to venture out, because the danger is very real. It’s a view of the temporary breakdown of society. It is gut check time; a time when the concept of being able to defend oneself gives way to the stark reality that few viable options to do so exist.
Gun laws in the UK are among the most restrictive in the world. In March of 1996, a deranged man walked into a school in Dunblane, Scotland and killed 16 children and one teacher. In the aftermath of this tragedy, British politicians sought to reduce violent crime by enacting a ban on all handguns. Handgun owners were given a February 1998 deadline to turn in their firearms--and they did. The UK was supposed to become a much safer place--but dramatic increases in crime following the gun ban proved it didn't.
A July 3, 2009, Daily Mail article reported that "Britain's violent crime record is worse than any other country in the European Union, it has been revealed. Official crime figures show the U.K. also has a worse rate for all types of violence than the U.S. and even South Africa."
Do you still think those who want stricter Firearms laws and Registration schemes have your best interests at heart? For those who think this way, you have my sympathy for being a "Useful Idiot"!
~Lordhawke
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
DEA Now Linked to "FAST AND FURIOUS" Gun Smuggling Scam!
From Redstate Briefing:
Posted by Moe Lane (Profile)
Posted by Moe Lane (Profile)
Monday, August 8th at 2:00PM EDT
"It would appear that the DEA does not want to be the fall guy in Operation Fast & Furious*, either: DEA head Michele M. Leonhart admitted in a letter to Senator Grassley (Judiciary) and Rep. Issa (Oversight) that her organization was in fact involved in the investigation, and provided support for it. This is a significant admission by Ms. Leonhart, given that (as Bob Owens** of Pajamas Media reminds us) there is an existing allegation by the former head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (BATFE) Phoenix office that the DEA was a full partner in the proceedings.
The DEA is, of course, under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department; with this admission and as-yet-partial corroboration (and no doubt a similar one from the FBI, which has also been formally requested to provide Grassley & Issa with information on its involvement in Fast & Furious) it becomes harder for Holder and his immediate staff to credibly claim that higher-ups were unaware of the program. The next step for Congress will be to get more details from the DEA. Which officials in the DEA were fully aware of the program? Which officials indicated their concerns with the numerous ethical and practical irregularities found in the program? What was the result of those concerns being aired? Was there an internal investigation into said irregularities? If there was one, was it squashed until after the death of Border Agent Terry? If it was, who ordered the squashing? – and so forth.
As I’ve mentioned in the past – and will probably mention again in the future – a scandal of this (potential) magnitude builds up over time. And when it does, it often results in some very interesting side issues being raised – like this one from Bob Owens:
Moe Lane (crosspost)
*Short version: the US government deliberately had guns be illegally resold to Mexican narco-terrorists as part of an ill-conceived investigation. The US government then promptly lost track of said guns, which later turned up at crime scenes in Mexico, including at least one shooting death of a US Border Patrol agent. Put simply, we messed up severely: the question is how far up the taint goes.
**Bob, by the way, has been doing yeoman work following this story. Check him out.
***Project Gunrunner was the parent operation, and was in itself not necessarily pernicious. The problem here is not the sting operation, per se; it’s the alleged deliberate lying to the Mexican government and lower-ranking BATFE agents, plus the loss of control over the illegally-resold guns. Which last part is in marked contrast to fundamental BATFE policy; they’re not supposed to lose track of the guns."
The DEA is, of course, under the jurisdiction of the Justice Department; with this admission and as-yet-partial corroboration (and no doubt a similar one from the FBI, which has also been formally requested to provide Grassley & Issa with information on its involvement in Fast & Furious) it becomes harder for Holder and his immediate staff to credibly claim that higher-ups were unaware of the program. The next step for Congress will be to get more details from the DEA. Which officials in the DEA were fully aware of the program? Which officials indicated their concerns with the numerous ethical and practical irregularities found in the program? What was the result of those concerns being aired? Was there an internal investigation into said irregularities? If there was one, was it squashed until after the death of Border Agent Terry? If it was, who ordered the squashing? – and so forth.
As I’ve mentioned in the past – and will probably mention again in the future – a scandal of this (potential) magnitude builds up over time. And when it does, it often results in some very interesting side issues being raised – like this one from Bob Owens:
Gunwalker[***] took place in Arizona, where DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano was both governor and state attorney general, using personnel the secretary had in her own state administration. It is highly unlikely that Gunwalker occurred on Napolitano’s “home turf” and one of her current areas of focus without her knowledge — or advice.Indeed, it does seem highly unlikely, doesn’t it?
Moe Lane (crosspost)
*Short version: the US government deliberately had guns be illegally resold to Mexican narco-terrorists as part of an ill-conceived investigation. The US government then promptly lost track of said guns, which later turned up at crime scenes in Mexico, including at least one shooting death of a US Border Patrol agent. Put simply, we messed up severely: the question is how far up the taint goes.
**Bob, by the way, has been doing yeoman work following this story. Check him out.
***Project Gunrunner was the parent operation, and was in itself not necessarily pernicious. The problem here is not the sting operation, per se; it’s the alleged deliberate lying to the Mexican government and lower-ranking BATFE agents, plus the loss of control over the illegally-resold guns. Which last part is in marked contrast to fundamental BATFE policy; they’re not supposed to lose track of the guns."
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
2nd Amendment legislation tied to Debt Ceiling Legislation?
Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen;
I received this via my e-mail today and find it's implications to be extremely troubling. If this "Super Committee" can legislate the Debt Ceiling as stated in the following excerpt, and "tack on" just about anything they wish, then our system of government is indeed in jeopardy!
We must let our representatives know that this type of law-making will NEVER be acceptable to the American people! Call, Write, E-mail, or go visit your representative at their home office! Let them know we are "wise" to what this type of unlawful activity means to our freedom!
The excerpt follows:
I received this via my e-mail today and find it's implications to be extremely troubling. If this "Super Committee" can legislate the Debt Ceiling as stated in the following excerpt, and "tack on" just about anything they wish, then our system of government is indeed in jeopardy!
We must let our representatives know that this type of law-making will NEVER be acceptable to the American people! Call, Write, E-mail, or go visit your representative at their home office! Let them know we are "wise" to what this type of unlawful activity means to our freedom!
The excerpt follows:
From an article in “Human Events”
By Kathryn Delong
"...The debt deal is a sign of things to come.
A recent Rasmussen poll, which surveyed 1,000 likely voters, found that 53 percent of Americans oppose the debt-reduction deal. An underwhelming 22 percent of respondents expressed approval for the bill, and an additional 26 percent weren’t sure of the outcome.
This legislation is evidence of the federal government’s disregard for the democratic modus operandi that once served as the foundation for American exceptionalism.
The maxim of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has become moot. Democracy is being sacrificed in the name of “compromise” among partisans to avoid further economic turmoil.
The debt ceiling agreement fails to include a provision that excludes matters aside from saving the federal government money from being included in the joint committee’s bill.
A recent Rasmussen poll, which surveyed 1,000 likely voters, found that 53 percent of Americans oppose the debt-reduction deal. An underwhelming 22 percent of respondents expressed approval for the bill, and an additional 26 percent weren’t sure of the outcome.
This legislation is evidence of the federal government’s disregard for the democratic modus operandi that once served as the foundation for American exceptionalism.
The maxim of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has become moot. Democracy is being sacrificed in the name of “compromise” among partisans to avoid further economic turmoil.
The debt ceiling agreement fails to include a provision that excludes matters aside from saving the federal government money from being included in the joint committee’s bill.
According to Congress and President Obama, the function of the “Super Committee” is to find $1.5 trillion in the national budget. But who’s to say that, in reality, this bill won’t include other provisions, irrelevant to its publicized purpose? With Congress unable to make any modifications to the bill, as American citizens who believe in a democratic approach to government, our only hope is that our representatives would reject this legislation. However, the consequences of not passing the joint committee’s bill are also great – the automatic spending cuts that have been proposed will inevitably be met with opposition from the American public, as well.
So what does all of this have to do with the 2nd Amendment?
The bottom line is, nothing is immune from being included in this legislation. If the “Super Committee” decided to throw a provision into the bill curtailing Americans’ gun rights, there would be nothing to prevent them from doing so.
As the White House has publicly voiced its support for the United Nations Small Arms Treaty, it would not be completely surprising if the savings bill included something to advance this cause.
The committee will consist of Republicans and Democrats in equal numbers, but, if anything, this fact just points to perpetuated gridlock. This does not mean that the savings bill will be any more ethical or democratic in nature than if the committee had an unequal makeup of Republicans and Democrats. Recent events have demonstrated the imperfections of both parties.
This is not to say that the “Super Committee” will zero in specifically on using budget legislation to pass gun control measures. But the argument here goes to show how undemocratic our legislative process has become.
For those who advocate basic freedoms and upholding the Constitution, the debt debacle may shine some light on better days to come. With President Obama’s approval ratings at an all-time low and an economic downgrade on his watch, the chance of a Republican victory in 2012 is on the rise. But the GOP must face the difficult task of finding a candidate that the entire party can rally behind to defeat its opposition next November."
This is so typical of the Traitorous men in Washington D.C. who wish to enslave us all! They are convinced they are above the laws of this Nation and answer to no one but the International Bankers who pay them off to do the Banksters' bidding! I don't know how the rest of you feel, but I'm Mad As Hell!!
So what does all of this have to do with the 2nd Amendment?
The bottom line is, nothing is immune from being included in this legislation. If the “Super Committee” decided to throw a provision into the bill curtailing Americans’ gun rights, there would be nothing to prevent them from doing so.
As the White House has publicly voiced its support for the United Nations Small Arms Treaty, it would not be completely surprising if the savings bill included something to advance this cause.
The committee will consist of Republicans and Democrats in equal numbers, but, if anything, this fact just points to perpetuated gridlock. This does not mean that the savings bill will be any more ethical or democratic in nature than if the committee had an unequal makeup of Republicans and Democrats. Recent events have demonstrated the imperfections of both parties.
This is not to say that the “Super Committee” will zero in specifically on using budget legislation to pass gun control measures. But the argument here goes to show how undemocratic our legislative process has become.
For those who advocate basic freedoms and upholding the Constitution, the debt debacle may shine some light on better days to come. With President Obama’s approval ratings at an all-time low and an economic downgrade on his watch, the chance of a Republican victory in 2012 is on the rise. But the GOP must face the difficult task of finding a candidate that the entire party can rally behind to defeat its opposition next November."
This is so typical of the Traitorous men in Washington D.C. who wish to enslave us all! They are convinced they are above the laws of this Nation and answer to no one but the International Bankers who pay them off to do the Banksters' bidding! I don't know how the rest of you feel, but I'm Mad As Hell!!
I am sick and tired of these criminals doing away with American freedom. It is time to bring them all up on charges of TREASON, FIND THEM GUILTY, AND HANG THEM FROM THE NEAREST TREE!! ~Lordhawke
Saturday, August 6, 2011
PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT LEGISLATION!
From NRA-ILA ALERTS:
"Pro-Second Amendment Model Legislation Adopted at ALEC
Yesterday, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Public Safety and Elections Task Force adopted the "Fraudulent Firearm Purchase Prevention Act" and "Firearms Destruction Prevention Act" as model legislation at its meeting in New Orleans .
The "Fraudulent Firearm Purchase Prevention Act" (or "Honesty in Purchasing Firearms Act") would protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg has sent hired agents into other states to attempt illegal firearm purchases in an effort to blame federally licensed firearm retailers for gun crime in New York City and around the country. This legislation has been enacted in seven states: Alabama , Georgia , Missouri , North Carolina , Oklahoma , Virginia and West Virginia .
The "Firearms Destruction Prevention Act" (or "Disposition of Firearms in State and Local Custody Act") would require a firearm collected by law enforcement to be auctioned to federally licensed firearms dealers. Prior to the auction, reasonable efforts must be made to determine if the firearm was lost or stolen and, if at all possible, returned to its lawful owner. Alaska , Kentucky and Tennessee have already adopted this legislation."
We applaud the efforts of NRA-ILA and the State Legislatures who have enacted this important legislation. Those of you who live in these states, need to thank your representatives for this very important affirmation of your God-given rights as guaranteed by the Constitution for the united States of America! Those of us who live in the other states, need to get this banner legislation brought to the forefront of our state legislature's agendas. Write, Fax, Phone, or visit your representative's offices in your home towns! Let them know that the only thing standing between "We, the People", and a tyrannical government, is the 2nd Amendment: our God-given right to self-defense!
~Lordhawke
These are the Texas Legislators to contact for the Odessa/Midland area.
Senate District 31--Senator Kel Seliger
Capitol Office: EXT E1.606
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0131
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
District Address: P.O. Box 9155
Amarillo TX 79105
Phone: (806) 374-8994
E-mail: here (down about the middle of the page)
Texas State Representative
House District 81--Representative Tryon D. Lewis
Capitol Office: EXT E2.508
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0546
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 119 W. 4th St. #206
Odessa TX 79761
Phone: (432) 332-0937
E-mail: here
To find out which districts you live in on the state and federal levels, simply type in your zip code here.
UPDATE: Form Letter you may use to contact your Reps and Senators:
Hon._______________________ Date:
"Pro-Second Amendment Model Legislation Adopted at ALEC
Yesterday, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Public Safety and Elections Task Force adopted the "Fraudulent Firearm Purchase Prevention Act" and "Firearms Destruction Prevention Act" as model legislation at its meeting in New Orleans .
The "Fraudulent Firearm Purchase Prevention Act" (or "Honesty in Purchasing Firearms Act") would protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg has sent hired agents into other states to attempt illegal firearm purchases in an effort to blame federally licensed firearm retailers for gun crime in New York City and around the country. This legislation has been enacted in seven states: Alabama , Georgia , Missouri , North Carolina , Oklahoma , Virginia and West Virginia .
The "Firearms Destruction Prevention Act" (or "Disposition of Firearms in State and Local Custody Act") would require a firearm collected by law enforcement to be auctioned to federally licensed firearms dealers. Prior to the auction, reasonable efforts must be made to determine if the firearm was lost or stolen and, if at all possible, returned to its lawful owner. Alaska , Kentucky and Tennessee have already adopted this legislation."
We applaud the efforts of NRA-ILA and the State Legislatures who have enacted this important legislation. Those of you who live in these states, need to thank your representatives for this very important affirmation of your God-given rights as guaranteed by the Constitution for the united States of America! Those of us who live in the other states, need to get this banner legislation brought to the forefront of our state legislature's agendas. Write, Fax, Phone, or visit your representative's offices in your home towns! Let them know that the only thing standing between "We, the People", and a tyrannical government, is the 2nd Amendment: our God-given right to self-defense!
~Lordhawke
These are the Texas Legislators to contact for the Odessa/Midland area.
Senate District 31--Senator Kel Seliger
Capitol Office: EXT E1.606
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0131
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
District Address: P.O. Box 9155
Amarillo TX 79105
Phone: (806) 374-8994
E-mail: here (down about the middle of the page)
Texas State Representative
House District 81--Representative Tryon D. Lewis
Capitol Office: EXT E2.508
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0546
Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
District Address: 119 W. 4th St. #206
Odessa TX 79761
Phone: (432) 332-0937
E-mail: here
To find out which districts you live in on the state and federal levels, simply type in your zip code here.
UPDATE: Form Letter you may use to contact your Reps and Senators:
Hon._______________________ Date:
Dear________________________;
I wish to apprise you of some important legislation from some of the States throughout the United States of America regarding our Second Amendment Rights as guaranteed by the Constitution for The united States of America.
It has come to my attention that the state legislatures of the following states have passed legislation that prevent the abuse of firearms owners rights:
Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The states of Alaska, Kentucky, and Tennesee, have adopted this legislation.
The "Fraudulent Firearm Purchase Prevention Act" (or "Honesty in Purchasing Firearms Act") would protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations.
This legislation states in part:
The "Firearms Destruction Prevention Act" (or "Disposition of Firearms in State and Local Custody Act") would require a firearm collected by law enforcement to be auctioned to federally licensed firearms dealers. Prior to the auction, reasonable efforts must be made to determine if the firearm was lost or stolen, and returned to its lawful owner.
I feel that this legislation, or other legislation worded similarly, would greatly reduce the propensity of certain groups, or persons who wish to undermine the sovereignty of the United States and her Citizens, by restricting firearms rights through “back door” efforts.
I respectfully urge you and your colleagues to seriously consider legislation of this type to protect those whom you represent on a state or federal level.
Thank you for your kind consideration on this very important matter.
Sincerely Yours;______________________
Sunday, July 31, 2011
PROJECT GUNRUNNER: REVISITED
From CCRKBA newsletter:
"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms PROJECT GUNRUNNER allowed gun sales to criminals so that DOJ officials could present "evidence" to the administration that the Second Amendment should be restricted or abolished!
While the Obama administration was blaming our gun rights for the drug war violence in Mexico, its very own gun sting operation looks to have been a major source of illicit firearms ... and now the administration is REFUSING TO COOPERATE with the investigation into this scandal!
Guns purchased under Project Gunrunner and sold to Mexican drug cartels were ultimately used to kill at least two United States government employees.
IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ANSWERS ON THIS INVESTIGATION... acting ATF Director Kenneth E. Melson has not cooperated, and Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), told CBS News he is being "stonewalled" in his efforts to find out information.
But now, George Gillett Jr., who was assistant special agent in charge of the ATF Phoenix field office, and provided day-to-day oversight of the Arizona component of the Gunrunner operation, is ready to talk.
He initially stalled the investigation by ordering ATF agents not to cooperate with congressional inquiries... but he has changed his mind, and has had two preliminary meetings with investigators.
President Obama has stated his administration would be the most open and honest ever. Now, he is saying "no comment," and his corrupt Department of Justice refuses to turn over information to Senator Grassley by the March 30th deadline.
We must not allow the anti-gun Obama administration to engage in criminal activity in their efforts to restrict and abolish our Second Amendment freedoms. Obama and his supporters are actively working to take away your right to own a gun.
Because Sen. Grassley is getting no cooperation, Rep. Darrell Issa, Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has asked Secretary of State Clinton for all communications related to a meeting in Mexico City in the summer of 2010 involving then-U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer and others, who had gathered to talk about the gunrunning operation.
Rep. Issa asks Clinton to "please explain in detail the reasons behind your refusal to answer the Senator directly. I understand that you have yet to respond and are likely to refuse Senator Grassley's request for information without a letter from the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This refusal is mystifying in its own right, given Senator Grassley's standing as the Ranking Member of that Committee. More inexplicably, your refusal stands in stark contradiction to the promise of transparency promoted by President Obama."
Rep. Issa gave Secretary Clinton a certain time limit to send the requested documents.
In order to legitimize claims by Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder that an "iron pipeline" of American guns were running into Mexico, the ATF allowed thousands of weapons over 15 months to go from gun dealers in the U.S. to straw buyers, knowing they were likely to be acquired and used by Mexico's drug cartels.
Gun shops wanted to stop the questionable sales, but ATF encouraged them to continue.
Darren Gil, the former ATF attache to Mexico, told CBS News the gunrunner operation was approved by the acting ATF director and by higher officials at the Justice Department, and that Assistant Attorney General and head of the Criminal Division Larry Breuer knew about it.
But when serial numbers from guns used in drug cartel crimes were traced back to the "Fast and Furious" case in Phoenix, Gil found he had been locked out and couldn't get access to any information.
What was the REAL PURPOSE of Project Gunrunner?
Is the Obama administration trying to gain more funding for the ATF, which is under threat of a 13% decrease?
Did Obama and Holder want to use false statistics about American guns getting into Mexico as an excuse to increase gun regulations?
Or did they want to use this "data" to reinstate the assault weapons ban?
There is no way around it; this administration will do whatever it takes to destroy our Second Amendment rights!
This administration has engaged in criminal behavior that led to the deaths of American citizens, and now they are covering it up! Please be proactive and don't let them get away with it!
Please, contact by whatever means possible every member of the U.S. Congress and demand that they cut funding to the ATF and stop their corruption! We also need to encourage them to support the investigations into Project Gunrunner! Congress has a RESPONSIBILITY to protect the Second Amendment and the rights of American citizens! The Obama administration and a powerful anti-gun lobby are determined to take away our firearms by whatever means possible. The American people need everyone's efforts to make sure the next two years don't end in tragedy for the Second Amendment, and for more of our brave agents on the border!"
~Lordhawke
"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms PROJECT GUNRUNNER allowed gun sales to criminals so that DOJ officials could present "evidence" to the administration that the Second Amendment should be restricted or abolished!
While the Obama administration was blaming our gun rights for the drug war violence in Mexico, its very own gun sting operation looks to have been a major source of illicit firearms ... and now the administration is REFUSING TO COOPERATE with the investigation into this scandal!
Guns purchased under Project Gunrunner and sold to Mexican drug cartels were ultimately used to kill at least two United States government employees.
IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO GET ANSWERS ON THIS INVESTIGATION... acting ATF Director Kenneth E. Melson has not cooperated, and Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), told CBS News he is being "stonewalled" in his efforts to find out information.
But now, George Gillett Jr., who was assistant special agent in charge of the ATF Phoenix field office, and provided day-to-day oversight of the Arizona component of the Gunrunner operation, is ready to talk.
He initially stalled the investigation by ordering ATF agents not to cooperate with congressional inquiries... but he has changed his mind, and has had two preliminary meetings with investigators.
President Obama has stated his administration would be the most open and honest ever. Now, he is saying "no comment," and his corrupt Department of Justice refuses to turn over information to Senator Grassley by the March 30th deadline.
We must not allow the anti-gun Obama administration to engage in criminal activity in their efforts to restrict and abolish our Second Amendment freedoms. Obama and his supporters are actively working to take away your right to own a gun.
Because Sen. Grassley is getting no cooperation, Rep. Darrell Issa, Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has asked Secretary of State Clinton for all communications related to a meeting in Mexico City in the summer of 2010 involving then-U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer and others, who had gathered to talk about the gunrunning operation.
Rep. Issa asks Clinton to "please explain in detail the reasons behind your refusal to answer the Senator directly. I understand that you have yet to respond and are likely to refuse Senator Grassley's request for information without a letter from the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This refusal is mystifying in its own right, given Senator Grassley's standing as the Ranking Member of that Committee. More inexplicably, your refusal stands in stark contradiction to the promise of transparency promoted by President Obama."
Rep. Issa gave Secretary Clinton a certain time limit to send the requested documents.
In order to legitimize claims by Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder that an "iron pipeline" of American guns were running into Mexico, the ATF allowed thousands of weapons over 15 months to go from gun dealers in the U.S. to straw buyers, knowing they were likely to be acquired and used by Mexico's drug cartels.
Gun shops wanted to stop the questionable sales, but ATF encouraged them to continue.
Darren Gil, the former ATF attache to Mexico, told CBS News the gunrunner operation was approved by the acting ATF director and by higher officials at the Justice Department, and that Assistant Attorney General and head of the Criminal Division Larry Breuer knew about it.
But when serial numbers from guns used in drug cartel crimes were traced back to the "Fast and Furious" case in Phoenix, Gil found he had been locked out and couldn't get access to any information.
What was the REAL PURPOSE of Project Gunrunner?
Is the Obama administration trying to gain more funding for the ATF, which is under threat of a 13% decrease?
Did Obama and Holder want to use false statistics about American guns getting into Mexico as an excuse to increase gun regulations?
Or did they want to use this "data" to reinstate the assault weapons ban?
There is no way around it; this administration will do whatever it takes to destroy our Second Amendment rights!
This administration has engaged in criminal behavior that led to the deaths of American citizens, and now they are covering it up! Please be proactive and don't let them get away with it!
Please, contact by whatever means possible every member of the U.S. Congress and demand that they cut funding to the ATF and stop their corruption! We also need to encourage them to support the investigations into Project Gunrunner! Congress has a RESPONSIBILITY to protect the Second Amendment and the rights of American citizens! The Obama administration and a powerful anti-gun lobby are determined to take away our firearms by whatever means possible. The American people need everyone's efforts to make sure the next two years don't end in tragedy for the Second Amendment, and for more of our brave agents on the border!"
~Lordhawke
EPA WHINEBAGGERS TRYING TO OUTLAW LEAD...AGAIN!
Yes, I know, we all thought this was taken care of some years past, but, like the spoiled immature brats that they are, whining, wheedling, and simpering before federal lawmakers, the EPA is trying to shove this legislation through while at the same time hoping no one is paying attention.
"EPA MAY BAN LEAD FROM AMMUNITION AND FISHING TACKLE!
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tried to ban lead from bullets, shot and fishing tackle, claiming that it harms the environment---even when absolutely NO EVIDENCE EXISTS to support this claim.
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson considered a petition late last year by the Center for Biological Diversity to ban traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976---but thankfully, she abandoned the petition after very alert gun owners like you and me put a stop to it.
However, Obama and the EPA are very gun-UNfriendly, and he is trying to take away your Second Amendment freedoms in any way he can. I guarantee this is not the last we have heard of the lead issue, especially since Administrator Jackson has an anti-hunting agenda: when she worked for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, she was responsible for banning bear hunting.
TO MAKE SURE OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED, Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) introduced HR 1445 on Friday:
To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle.
The CCRKBA supports H.R. 1445. Please Fax every Member of the House of Representatives and tell them to support H.R. 1445 and stop the EPA from regulating ammunition!
Congress expressly exempted ammunition from the Toxic Substance Control Act, but Obama and his bureaucrats don't care about that. They will use whatever means necessary to get around the LAW and push their anti-freedom agenda.
If the EPA succeeds in controlling what kind of material can go into bullets, they will take it even further, and possibly ban bullets altogether. The Obama administration is trying to take away our gun rights. He knows he can't just outlaw the Second Amendment outright, so he is using his various agencies and Executive order privileges to chip away at our freedoms, little by little.
IF OBAMA CAN'T TAKE AWAY YOUR GUNS, HE WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR AMMUNITION!
THIS ADMINISTRATION COULD VERY WELL END OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS!
The CCRKBA supports H.R. 1445. Please Fax every Member of the House of Representatives and tell them to support H.R. 1445 and stop the EPA from regulating ammunition! The CCRKBA requests you contact your repesentatives in Washington D.C. so we can protect our Second Amendment rights from the anti-gun, overreaching Obama bureaucracy!
IF THIS BAN GOES INTO EFFECT, BULLETS AND FISHING TACKLE WILL COST MORE!
Non-lead ammunition often costs TWICE what traditional lead products do---which means a box of deer hunting bullets could cost you more than $55!
This is all part of Obama's plan to make it more difficult for you to own a firearm.
In addition to regulating the material we use for hunting and fishing tools, he wants to: Increase federal fees on guns and ammunition... Ban guns that are imported... Extend waiting periods... Ban the use of guns on all government property...MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO OWN FIREARMS IF YOU SMOKE OR USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS! Obama and his administration want to take away your Second Amendment rights, and they will do that in whatever way they can.
That is why is is IMPERATIVE that we tell our Representatives to SUPPORT H.R. 1445, so we will have one more layer of protection between our freedom and the intrusive EPA!
We stopped them once---and we will need to be diligent and do it again, and again."
~Lordhawke
"EPA MAY BAN LEAD FROM AMMUNITION AND FISHING TACKLE!
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tried to ban lead from bullets, shot and fishing tackle, claiming that it harms the environment---even when absolutely NO EVIDENCE EXISTS to support this claim.
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson considered a petition late last year by the Center for Biological Diversity to ban traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976---but thankfully, she abandoned the petition after very alert gun owners like you and me put a stop to it.
However, Obama and the EPA are very gun-UNfriendly, and he is trying to take away your Second Amendment freedoms in any way he can. I guarantee this is not the last we have heard of the lead issue, especially since Administrator Jackson has an anti-hunting agenda: when she worked for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, she was responsible for banning bear hunting.
TO MAKE SURE OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED, Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) introduced HR 1445 on Friday:
To prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating, based on material composition, any type of firearm ammunition or fishing tackle.
The CCRKBA supports H.R. 1445. Please Fax every Member of the House of Representatives and tell them to support H.R. 1445 and stop the EPA from regulating ammunition!
Congress expressly exempted ammunition from the Toxic Substance Control Act, but Obama and his bureaucrats don't care about that. They will use whatever means necessary to get around the LAW and push their anti-freedom agenda.
If the EPA succeeds in controlling what kind of material can go into bullets, they will take it even further, and possibly ban bullets altogether. The Obama administration is trying to take away our gun rights. He knows he can't just outlaw the Second Amendment outright, so he is using his various agencies and Executive order privileges to chip away at our freedoms, little by little.
IF OBAMA CAN'T TAKE AWAY YOUR GUNS, HE WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR AMMUNITION!
THIS ADMINISTRATION COULD VERY WELL END OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS!
The CCRKBA supports H.R. 1445. Please Fax every Member of the House of Representatives and tell them to support H.R. 1445 and stop the EPA from regulating ammunition! The CCRKBA requests you contact your repesentatives in Washington D.C. so we can protect our Second Amendment rights from the anti-gun, overreaching Obama bureaucracy!
IF THIS BAN GOES INTO EFFECT, BULLETS AND FISHING TACKLE WILL COST MORE!
Non-lead ammunition often costs TWICE what traditional lead products do---which means a box of deer hunting bullets could cost you more than $55!
This is all part of Obama's plan to make it more difficult for you to own a firearm.
In addition to regulating the material we use for hunting and fishing tools, he wants to: Increase federal fees on guns and ammunition... Ban guns that are imported... Extend waiting periods... Ban the use of guns on all government property...MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO OWN FIREARMS IF YOU SMOKE OR USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS! Obama and his administration want to take away your Second Amendment rights, and they will do that in whatever way they can.
That is why is is IMPERATIVE that we tell our Representatives to SUPPORT H.R. 1445, so we will have one more layer of protection between our freedom and the intrusive EPA!
We stopped them once---and we will need to be diligent and do it again, and again."
~Lordhawke
Saturday, July 23, 2011
U.S. Senate Stands with NRA in Strongly Opposing Gun Control Efforts
This just in from NRA-ILA Alerts:
U.S. Senate Stands with NRA
in Strongly Opposing U.N. Gun Control Efforts
For nearly 20 years, the NRA has worked tirelessly to oppose any United Nations effort to undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding American gun owners. The latest attempt by the U.N. and global gun banners to eliminate our Second Amendment freedoms is to include civilian arms in the current Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which will be finalized next year.
In order for any treaty to take effect, however, it must be ratified by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate. To ensure that any ATT that includes civilian arms is dead on arrival in the Senate, the NRA has been working to get as many U.S. Senators as possible to publicly oppose any ATT that includes restrictions on civilian arms.
As of this morning, 50 members of the U.S. Senate have signed letters to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton saying they will oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms ownership. These strongly worded letters caution the President and Secretary of State to uphold the Constitution of the United States. As Senator Jerry Moran's letter warns, “(A)s the treaty process continues, we strongly encourage your administration to uphold our constitutional protections of civilian firearms ownership. These freedoms are non-negotiable, and we will oppose ratification of an Arms Trade Treaty presented to the Senate that in any way restricts the rights of law-abiding U.S. citizens to manufacture, assemble, possess, transfer or purchase firearms, ammunition and related items.”
Thanking the NRA for our long-standing work on this issue, Senator Moran remarked, "I appreciate the NRA's partnership on this important effort to defend the rights of American gun owners. I want to thank them for their active support in sending a strong message to the Obama Administration that our firearm freedoms are not negotiable."
As we have for nearly two decades, the NRA will continue to fight against any U.N. treaty that undermines the constitutional rights of American gun owners. These letters send a clear message to the international bureaucrats who want to eliminate our fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms. Clearly, a U.N. ATT that includes civilian arms within its scope is not supported by the American people or their elected U.S. Senators. We are grateful to Senator Moran, Senator Jon Tester, and all members of the Senate who have chosen to stand on the side of America's 80 million gun owners in opposition to those who want to eliminate our freedoms. And thank you as well to those NRA members who contacted their Senators and encouraged them to support this critical effort.
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=7004
This is all very well and good at face value, but will it prevent our petulant child imposter who claims to be President from bringing this treaty through the "back door" by using his Executive Powers as he has done with other unlawful items? I pray to God it does!
~Lordhawke
U.S. Senate Stands with NRA
in Strongly Opposing U.N. Gun Control Efforts
For nearly 20 years, the NRA has worked tirelessly to oppose any United Nations effort to undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding American gun owners. The latest attempt by the U.N. and global gun banners to eliminate our Second Amendment freedoms is to include civilian arms in the current Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which will be finalized next year.
In order for any treaty to take effect, however, it must be ratified by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate. To ensure that any ATT that includes civilian arms is dead on arrival in the Senate, the NRA has been working to get as many U.S. Senators as possible to publicly oppose any ATT that includes restrictions on civilian arms.
As of this morning, 50 members of the U.S. Senate have signed letters to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton saying they will oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms ownership. These strongly worded letters caution the President and Secretary of State to uphold the Constitution of the United States. As Senator Jerry Moran's letter warns, “(A)s the treaty process continues, we strongly encourage your administration to uphold our constitutional protections of civilian firearms ownership. These freedoms are non-negotiable, and we will oppose ratification of an Arms Trade Treaty presented to the Senate that in any way restricts the rights of law-abiding U.S. citizens to manufacture, assemble, possess, transfer or purchase firearms, ammunition and related items.”
Thanking the NRA for our long-standing work on this issue, Senator Moran remarked, "I appreciate the NRA's partnership on this important effort to defend the rights of American gun owners. I want to thank them for their active support in sending a strong message to the Obama Administration that our firearm freedoms are not negotiable."
As we have for nearly two decades, the NRA will continue to fight against any U.N. treaty that undermines the constitutional rights of American gun owners. These letters send a clear message to the international bureaucrats who want to eliminate our fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms. Clearly, a U.N. ATT that includes civilian arms within its scope is not supported by the American people or their elected U.S. Senators. We are grateful to Senator Moran, Senator Jon Tester, and all members of the Senate who have chosen to stand on the side of America's 80 million gun owners in opposition to those who want to eliminate our freedoms. And thank you as well to those NRA members who contacted their Senators and encouraged them to support this critical effort.
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=7004
This is all very well and good at face value, but will it prevent our petulant child imposter who claims to be President from bringing this treaty through the "back door" by using his Executive Powers as he has done with other unlawful items? I pray to God it does!
~Lordhawke
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
WAYNE LaPIERRE'S STATEMENT TO THE U.N. ON ATT TREATY
Statement of the National Rifle Association of America:
"Mr. Chairman, thank you for this brief opportunity to address the committee. I am Wayne LaPierre and for 20 years now, I have served as Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association of America.
The NRA was founded in 1871, and ever since has staunchly defended the rights of its 4 million members, America's 80 million law-abiding gun owners, and freedom-loving Americans throughout our country. In 1996, the NRA was recognized as an NGO of the United Nations and, ever since then, has defended the constitutional freedom of Americans in this arena. The NRA is the largest and most active firearms rights organization in the world and, although some members of this committee may not like what I have to say, I am proud to defend the tens of millions of lawful people NRA represents.
This present effort for an Arms Trade Treaty, or ATT, is now in its fifth year. We have closely monitored this process with increasing concern. We've reviewed the statements of the countries participating in these meetings. We've listened to other NGOs and read their numerous proposals and reports, as well as carefully examined the papers you have produced. We've watched, and read ... listened and monitored. Now, we must speak out.
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms in defense of self, family and country is ultimately self-evident and is part of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Reduced to its core, it is about fundamental individual freedom, human worth, and self-destiny.
We reject the notion that American gun owners must accept any lesser amount of freedom in order to be accepted among the international community. Our Founding Fathers long ago rejected that notion and forged our great nation on the principle of freedom for the individual citizen - not for the government.
Mr. Chairman, those working on this treaty have asked us to trust them ... but they've proven to be unworthy of that trust.
We are told "Trust us; an ATT will not ban possession of any civilian firearms." Yet, the
proposals and statements presented to date have argued exactly the opposite, and - perhaps most importantly - proposals to ban civilian firearms ownership have not been rejected.
We are told "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with state domestic regulation of firearms." Yet, there are constant calls for exactly such measures.
We are told "Trust us; an ATT will only affect the illegal trade in firearms." But then we're told that in order to control the illegal trade, all states must control the legal firearms trade.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not require registration of civilian firearms." Yet, there are numerous calls for record-keeping, and firearms tracking from production to eventual destruction. That's nothing more than gun registration by a different name.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not create a new international bureaucracy." Well, that's exactly what is now being proposed -- with a tongue-in-cheek assurance that it will just be a SMALL bureaucracy.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with the lawful international commerce in civilian firearms." But a manufacturer of civilian shotguns would have to comply with the same regulatory process as a manufacturer of military attack helicopters.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with a hunter or sport shooter travelling internationally with firearms." However, he would have to get a so-called "transit permit" merely to change airports for a connecting flight.
Mr. Chairman, our list of objections extends far beyond the proposals I just mentioned.
Unfortunately, my limited time today prevents me from providing greater detail on each of our objections. I can assure you, however, that each is based on American law, as well as the fundamental rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
It is regrettable that proposals affecting civilian firearms ownership are woven throughout the proposed ATT. That being the case, however, there is only one solution to this problem: the complete removal of civilian firearms from the scope of any ATT. I will repeat that point as it is critical and not subject to negotiation - civilian firearms must not be part of any ATT. On this there can be no compromise, as American gun owners will never surrender their Second Amendment freedom.
It is also regrettable to find such intense focus on record-keeping, oversight, inspections, supervision, tracking, tracing, surveillance, marking, documentation, verification, paper trails and data banks, new global agencies and data centers. Nowhere do we find a thought about respecting anyone's right of self-defense, privacy, property, due process, or observing personal freedoms of any kind.
Mr. Chairman, I'd be remiss if I didn't also discuss the politics of an ATT. For the United States to be a party to an ATT, it must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate. Some do not realize that under the U.S. Constitution, the ultimate treaty power is not the President's power to negotiate and sign treaties; it is the Senate's power to approve them.
To that end, it's important for the Preparatory Committee to understand that the proposed ATT is already strongly opposed in the Senate - the very body that must approve it by a two-thirds majority. There is a letter addressed to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton that is currently being circulated for the signatures of Senators who oppose the ATT. Once complete, this letter will demonstrate that the proposed ATT will not pass the U.S. Senate.
So there is extremely strong resistance to the ATT in the United States, even before the treaty is tabled. We are not aware of any precedent for this - rejecting a proposed treaty before it's even submitted for consideration - but it speaks to the level of opposition. The proposed ATT has become more than just controversial, as the Internet is awash with articles and messages calling for its rejection. And those messages are all based on the same objection - infringement on the constitutional freedom of American gun owners.
The cornerstone of our freedom is the Second Amendment. Neither the United Nations, nor any other foreign influence, has the authority to meddle with the freedoms guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, endowed by our Creator, and due to all humankind.
Therefore, the NRA will fight with all of its strength to oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms within its scope."
Many people don't care for some of the things Wayne La Pierre has done or said, but in this instance, he is absolutely correct! If we allow the U.N. to force us into a treaty that is repugnant to our Constitution and Bill of Rights, then we will give in to a slavery the likes of which the world has never seen. Our right to keep and bear arms is what makes and keeps us a free people. Most other countries throughout the world have already capitulated, and given the U.N. power over their lives and destinies. Let's us don't join them in their serfdom! Contrary to what some believe, America is the last best hope for humankind! ~Lordhawke
"Mr. Chairman, thank you for this brief opportunity to address the committee. I am Wayne LaPierre and for 20 years now, I have served as Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association of America.
The NRA was founded in 1871, and ever since has staunchly defended the rights of its 4 million members, America's 80 million law-abiding gun owners, and freedom-loving Americans throughout our country. In 1996, the NRA was recognized as an NGO of the United Nations and, ever since then, has defended the constitutional freedom of Americans in this arena. The NRA is the largest and most active firearms rights organization in the world and, although some members of this committee may not like what I have to say, I am proud to defend the tens of millions of lawful people NRA represents.
This present effort for an Arms Trade Treaty, or ATT, is now in its fifth year. We have closely monitored this process with increasing concern. We've reviewed the statements of the countries participating in these meetings. We've listened to other NGOs and read their numerous proposals and reports, as well as carefully examined the papers you have produced. We've watched, and read ... listened and monitored. Now, we must speak out.
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms in defense of self, family and country is ultimately self-evident and is part of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Reduced to its core, it is about fundamental individual freedom, human worth, and self-destiny.
We reject the notion that American gun owners must accept any lesser amount of freedom in order to be accepted among the international community. Our Founding Fathers long ago rejected that notion and forged our great nation on the principle of freedom for the individual citizen - not for the government.
Mr. Chairman, those working on this treaty have asked us to trust them ... but they've proven to be unworthy of that trust.
We are told "Trust us; an ATT will not ban possession of any civilian firearms." Yet, the
proposals and statements presented to date have argued exactly the opposite, and - perhaps most importantly - proposals to ban civilian firearms ownership have not been rejected.
We are told "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with state domestic regulation of firearms." Yet, there are constant calls for exactly such measures.
We are told "Trust us; an ATT will only affect the illegal trade in firearms." But then we're told that in order to control the illegal trade, all states must control the legal firearms trade.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not require registration of civilian firearms." Yet, there are numerous calls for record-keeping, and firearms tracking from production to eventual destruction. That's nothing more than gun registration by a different name.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not create a new international bureaucracy." Well, that's exactly what is now being proposed -- with a tongue-in-cheek assurance that it will just be a SMALL bureaucracy.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with the lawful international commerce in civilian firearms." But a manufacturer of civilian shotguns would have to comply with the same regulatory process as a manufacturer of military attack helicopters.
We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with a hunter or sport shooter travelling internationally with firearms." However, he would have to get a so-called "transit permit" merely to change airports for a connecting flight.
Mr. Chairman, our list of objections extends far beyond the proposals I just mentioned.
Unfortunately, my limited time today prevents me from providing greater detail on each of our objections. I can assure you, however, that each is based on American law, as well as the fundamental rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
It is regrettable that proposals affecting civilian firearms ownership are woven throughout the proposed ATT. That being the case, however, there is only one solution to this problem: the complete removal of civilian firearms from the scope of any ATT. I will repeat that point as it is critical and not subject to negotiation - civilian firearms must not be part of any ATT. On this there can be no compromise, as American gun owners will never surrender their Second Amendment freedom.
It is also regrettable to find such intense focus on record-keeping, oversight, inspections, supervision, tracking, tracing, surveillance, marking, documentation, verification, paper trails and data banks, new global agencies and data centers. Nowhere do we find a thought about respecting anyone's right of self-defense, privacy, property, due process, or observing personal freedoms of any kind.
Mr. Chairman, I'd be remiss if I didn't also discuss the politics of an ATT. For the United States to be a party to an ATT, it must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate. Some do not realize that under the U.S. Constitution, the ultimate treaty power is not the President's power to negotiate and sign treaties; it is the Senate's power to approve them.
To that end, it's important for the Preparatory Committee to understand that the proposed ATT is already strongly opposed in the Senate - the very body that must approve it by a two-thirds majority. There is a letter addressed to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton that is currently being circulated for the signatures of Senators who oppose the ATT. Once complete, this letter will demonstrate that the proposed ATT will not pass the U.S. Senate.
So there is extremely strong resistance to the ATT in the United States, even before the treaty is tabled. We are not aware of any precedent for this - rejecting a proposed treaty before it's even submitted for consideration - but it speaks to the level of opposition. The proposed ATT has become more than just controversial, as the Internet is awash with articles and messages calling for its rejection. And those messages are all based on the same objection - infringement on the constitutional freedom of American gun owners.
The cornerstone of our freedom is the Second Amendment. Neither the United Nations, nor any other foreign influence, has the authority to meddle with the freedoms guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, endowed by our Creator, and due to all humankind.
Therefore, the NRA will fight with all of its strength to oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms within its scope."
Many people don't care for some of the things Wayne La Pierre has done or said, but in this instance, he is absolutely correct! If we allow the U.N. to force us into a treaty that is repugnant to our Constitution and Bill of Rights, then we will give in to a slavery the likes of which the world has never seen. Our right to keep and bear arms is what makes and keeps us a free people. Most other countries throughout the world have already capitulated, and given the U.N. power over their lives and destinies. Let's us don't join them in their serfdom! Contrary to what some believe, America is the last best hope for humankind! ~Lordhawke
Thursday, July 14, 2011
President and Secretary of State agree with instituting U.N. Small Arms Treaty
A recent Forbes Article warns about what the U.N., President Obama, and Hillary Clinton are working very hard to obtain Senate Ratification for:
U.N. Agreement Should Have All Gun Owners Up In Arms!
Jun. 7 2011 - 2:04 pm
It may not come as surprising news to many of you that the United Nations doesn’t
approve of our Second Amendment. Not one bit. And they very much hope to do
something about it with help from some powerful American friends. Under the guise of a
proposed global “Small Arms Treaty” premised to fight “terrorism”, “insurgency” and
“international crime syndicates” you can be quite certain that an even more insidious
threat is being targeted – our Constitutional right for law-abiding citizens to own and bear
arms.
What, exactly, does the intended agreement entail?
While the terms have yet to be made public, if passed by the U.N. and ratified by our
Senate, it will almost certainly force the U.S. to:
1. Enact tougher licensing requirements, creating additional bureaucratic red tape for
legal firearms ownership.
2. Confiscate and destroy all “unauthorized” civilian firearms (exempting those
owned by our government of course).
3. Ban the trade, sale and private ownership of all semi-automatic weapons (any that
have magazines even though they still operate in the same one trigger pull – one
single “bang” manner as revolvers, a simple fact the ant-gun media never seem to
grasp).
4. Create an international gun registry, clearly setting the stage for full-scale gun
confiscation.
5. In short, overriding our national sovereignty, and in the process, providing license
for the federal government to assert preemptive powers over state regulatory
powers guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment in addition to our Second
Amendment rights.
Have no doubt that this plan is very real, with strong Obama administration support. In
January 2010 the U.S. joined 152 other countries in endorsing a U.N. Arms Treaty
Resolution that will establish a 2012 conference to draft a blueprint for enactment.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged to push for Senate ratification.
Former U.N. ambassador John Bolton has cautioned gun owners to take this initiative
seriously, stating that the U.N. “is trying to act as though this is really just a treaty about
international arms trade between nation states, but there is no doubt that the real agenda
here is domestic firearms control.”
Although professing to support the Second Amendment during her presidential election
bid, Hillary Clinton is not generally known as a gun rights enthusiast. She has been a
long-time activist for federal firearms licensing and registration, and a vigorous opponent
of state Right-to-Carry laws. As a New York senator she ranked among the National
Rifle Association’s worst “F”-rated gun banners who voted to support the sort of
gunpoint disarmament that marked New Orleans’ rogue police actions against lawabiding
gun owners in the anarchistic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
President Obama’s record on citizen gun rights doesn’t reflect much advocacy either.
Consider for example his appointment of anti-gun rights former Seattle Mayor Greg
Nickels as an alternate U.S. representative to the U.N., and his choice of Andrew Traver
who has worked to terminate civilian ownership of so-called “assault rifles” (another
prejudicially meaningless gun term) to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives.
Then, in a move unprecedented in American history, the Obama administration quietly
banned the re-importation and sale of 850,000 collectable antique U.S.-manufactured M1
Garand and Carbine rifles that were left in South Korea following the Korean War.
Developed in the 1930s, the venerable M1 Garand carried the U.S. through World War II,
seeing action in every major battle.
As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama was an aggressive advocate for expanding gun
control laws, and even voted against legislation giving gun owners an affirmative defense
when they use firearms to defend themselves and their families against home invaders
and burglars. He also served on a 10-member board of directors of the radically activist
anti-gun Joyce Foundation in Chicago during a period between 1998-2001when it
contributed $18,326,183 in grants to anti-Second Amendment organizations.
If someone breaks into your home when you are there, which would you prefer to have
close at hand: 1) a telephone to call 911, or 2) a loaded gun of respectable caliber? That’s
a pretty easy question for me to answer. I am a long-time NRA member, concealed
firearms license holder and a regular weekly recreational pistol shooter. And while I
don’t ordinarily care to target anything that has a mother, will reluctantly make an
exception should an urgent provocation arise. I also happen to enjoy the company of
friends who hunt, as well as those, like myself, who share an abiding interest in American
history and the firearms that influenced it.
There are many like me, and fewer of them would be alive today were it not for exercise
of their gun rights. In fact law-abiding citizens in America used guns in self-defense 2.5
million times during 1993 (about 6,850 times per day), and actually shot and killed 2 1/2
times as many criminals as police did (1,527 to 606). Those civilian self-defense
shootings resulted in less than 1/5th as many incidents as police where an innocent person
was mistakenly identified as a criminal (2% versus 11%).
Just how effectively have gun bans worked to make citizens safer in other countries?
Take the number of home break-ins while residents are present as an indication. In
Canada and Britain, both with tough gun-control laws, nearly half of all burglaries occur
when residents are present. But in the U.S. where many households are armed, only about
13% happen when someone is home.
Recognizing clear statistical benefit evidence, 41 states now allow competent, lawabiding
adults to carry permitted or permit-exempt concealed handguns. As a result,
crime rates in those states have typically fallen at least 10% in the year following
enactment.
So the majority in our Senate is smart enough to realize that the U.N.’s gun-grab agenda
is unconstitutional, politically suicidal for those who support it, and down-right idiotic—
right? Let’s hope so, but not entirely count on it. While a few loyal Obama Democrats are
truly “pro-gun”, many are loathe to vote against treaties that carry the president’s
international prestige, causing him embarrassment.
Also, don’t forget that Senate confirmation of anti-gun Obama nominee Supreme Court
Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Many within the few who voted against her did so only because
of massive grassroots pressure from constituents who take their Constitutional protections
very seriously.
Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to stick by our guns in demanding that all
Constitutional rights be preserved. If not, we will surely lose both.
They can have mine bullets first!! ~Lordhawke
U.N. Agreement Should Have All Gun Owners Up In Arms!
Jun. 7 2011 - 2:04 pm
It may not come as surprising news to many of you that the United Nations doesn’t
approve of our Second Amendment. Not one bit. And they very much hope to do
something about it with help from some powerful American friends. Under the guise of a
proposed global “Small Arms Treaty” premised to fight “terrorism”, “insurgency” and
“international crime syndicates” you can be quite certain that an even more insidious
threat is being targeted – our Constitutional right for law-abiding citizens to own and bear
arms.
What, exactly, does the intended agreement entail?
While the terms have yet to be made public, if passed by the U.N. and ratified by our
Senate, it will almost certainly force the U.S. to:
1. Enact tougher licensing requirements, creating additional bureaucratic red tape for
legal firearms ownership.
2. Confiscate and destroy all “unauthorized” civilian firearms (exempting those
owned by our government of course).
3. Ban the trade, sale and private ownership of all semi-automatic weapons (any that
have magazines even though they still operate in the same one trigger pull – one
single “bang” manner as revolvers, a simple fact the ant-gun media never seem to
grasp).
4. Create an international gun registry, clearly setting the stage for full-scale gun
confiscation.
5. In short, overriding our national sovereignty, and in the process, providing license
for the federal government to assert preemptive powers over state regulatory
powers guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment in addition to our Second
Amendment rights.
Have no doubt that this plan is very real, with strong Obama administration support. In
January 2010 the U.S. joined 152 other countries in endorsing a U.N. Arms Treaty
Resolution that will establish a 2012 conference to draft a blueprint for enactment.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged to push for Senate ratification.
Former U.N. ambassador John Bolton has cautioned gun owners to take this initiative
seriously, stating that the U.N. “is trying to act as though this is really just a treaty about
international arms trade between nation states, but there is no doubt that the real agenda
here is domestic firearms control.”
Although professing to support the Second Amendment during her presidential election
bid, Hillary Clinton is not generally known as a gun rights enthusiast. She has been a
long-time activist for federal firearms licensing and registration, and a vigorous opponent
of state Right-to-Carry laws. As a New York senator she ranked among the National
Rifle Association’s worst “F”-rated gun banners who voted to support the sort of
gunpoint disarmament that marked New Orleans’ rogue police actions against lawabiding
gun owners in the anarchistic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
President Obama’s record on citizen gun rights doesn’t reflect much advocacy either.
Consider for example his appointment of anti-gun rights former Seattle Mayor Greg
Nickels as an alternate U.S. representative to the U.N., and his choice of Andrew Traver
who has worked to terminate civilian ownership of so-called “assault rifles” (another
prejudicially meaningless gun term) to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives.
Then, in a move unprecedented in American history, the Obama administration quietly
banned the re-importation and sale of 850,000 collectable antique U.S.-manufactured M1
Garand and Carbine rifles that were left in South Korea following the Korean War.
Developed in the 1930s, the venerable M1 Garand carried the U.S. through World War II,
seeing action in every major battle.
As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama was an aggressive advocate for expanding gun
control laws, and even voted against legislation giving gun owners an affirmative defense
when they use firearms to defend themselves and their families against home invaders
and burglars. He also served on a 10-member board of directors of the radically activist
anti-gun Joyce Foundation in Chicago during a period between 1998-2001when it
contributed $18,326,183 in grants to anti-Second Amendment organizations.
If someone breaks into your home when you are there, which would you prefer to have
close at hand: 1) a telephone to call 911, or 2) a loaded gun of respectable caliber? That’s
a pretty easy question for me to answer. I am a long-time NRA member, concealed
firearms license holder and a regular weekly recreational pistol shooter. And while I
don’t ordinarily care to target anything that has a mother, will reluctantly make an
exception should an urgent provocation arise. I also happen to enjoy the company of
friends who hunt, as well as those, like myself, who share an abiding interest in American
history and the firearms that influenced it.
There are many like me, and fewer of them would be alive today were it not for exercise
of their gun rights. In fact law-abiding citizens in America used guns in self-defense 2.5
million times during 1993 (about 6,850 times per day), and actually shot and killed 2 1/2
times as many criminals as police did (1,527 to 606). Those civilian self-defense
shootings resulted in less than 1/5th as many incidents as police where an innocent person
was mistakenly identified as a criminal (2% versus 11%).
Just how effectively have gun bans worked to make citizens safer in other countries?
Take the number of home break-ins while residents are present as an indication. In
Canada and Britain, both with tough gun-control laws, nearly half of all burglaries occur
when residents are present. But in the U.S. where many households are armed, only about
13% happen when someone is home.
Recognizing clear statistical benefit evidence, 41 states now allow competent, lawabiding
adults to carry permitted or permit-exempt concealed handguns. As a result,
crime rates in those states have typically fallen at least 10% in the year following
enactment.
So the majority in our Senate is smart enough to realize that the U.N.’s gun-grab agenda
is unconstitutional, politically suicidal for those who support it, and down-right idiotic—
right? Let’s hope so, but not entirely count on it. While a few loyal Obama Democrats are
truly “pro-gun”, many are loathe to vote against treaties that carry the president’s
international prestige, causing him embarrassment.
Also, don’t forget that Senate confirmation of anti-gun Obama nominee Supreme Court
Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Many within the few who voted against her did so only because
of massive grassroots pressure from constituents who take their Constitutional protections
very seriously.
Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to stick by our guns in demanding that all
Constitutional rights be preserved. If not, we will surely lose both.
They can have mine bullets first!! ~Lordhawke
House committee passes Amendment to Defund illegal Obama firearm sales reporting.
House Committee Passes Amendment to Defund Illegal Obama Firearm Sales Reporting Requirement
Today, during consideration of the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, pro-gun U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds for a new and unauthorized multiple sales reporting plan proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Amendment was passed by a vote of 25-16.
The Rehberg Amendment, which was strongly supported by NRA, will defund the Justice Department’s controversial and illegal move requiring federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles.
As we reported yesterday, this procedure was proposed last fall as an “emergency" measure by BATFE. Specifically, it calls for all of the firearm retailers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report multiple sales, or other dispositions, of two or more .22 caliber or larger semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine purchased by a single individual in a five consecutive business day period. It is important to note that under existing law, BATFE already has full access to every dealer’s firearm transaction records, either during a bona fide criminal investigation or simply to enforce compliance with record keeping requirements. This new reporting procedure would create a registry of owners of many of today's most popular rifles--firearms owned by millions of Americans for self-defense, hunting and other lawful purposes. Most importantly, however, the BATFE has no legal authority to demand these reports.
In addition, the agency has recently come under intense scrutiny due to its ill-conceived “Fast and Furious” operation. "Fast and Furious" encouraged Arizona gun stores to sell thousands of guns to suspicious buyers, despite objections from dealers and even BATFE’s own field agents.Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed, by a vote of 277 to 149, an amendment to H.R. 1 (also offered by Rep. Rehberg, along with Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.)) that also would have prohibited the use of federal funds for this reporting requirement. Unfortunately, the amendment was not included in the final version of the bill as a result of Senate inaction.
In March, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced S. 570--“to prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns." The bill would ensure that federal funds cannot be used for the multiple sales reporting procedure.
NRA will continue to work to make sure the Rehberg Amendment makes it through the appropriations process. The amendment is scheduled to be heard on the House floor in August.
While the Rehberg Amendment is a critically important first step, it is imperative that you contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 570. You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. senators at (202) 224-3121 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (202) 224-3121 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. S. 570 currently has 29 cosponsors. To see if your senators are cosponsors, please click here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:SN00570:@@@P
This alert is posted at: www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=6989
Well, this a good start, but more defunding of Obummer's plans for us slaves is necessary! We really should impeach this child who pretends to be president.
Today, during consideration of the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill, pro-gun U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) offered an amendment to prohibit the use of funds for a new and unauthorized multiple sales reporting plan proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Amendment was passed by a vote of 25-16.
The Rehberg Amendment, which was strongly supported by NRA, will defund the Justice Department’s controversial and illegal move requiring federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles.
As we reported yesterday, this procedure was proposed last fall as an “emergency" measure by BATFE. Specifically, it calls for all of the firearm retailers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report multiple sales, or other dispositions, of two or more .22 caliber or larger semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine purchased by a single individual in a five consecutive business day period. It is important to note that under existing law, BATFE already has full access to every dealer’s firearm transaction records, either during a bona fide criminal investigation or simply to enforce compliance with record keeping requirements. This new reporting procedure would create a registry of owners of many of today's most popular rifles--firearms owned by millions of Americans for self-defense, hunting and other lawful purposes. Most importantly, however, the BATFE has no legal authority to demand these reports.
In addition, the agency has recently come under intense scrutiny due to its ill-conceived “Fast and Furious” operation. "Fast and Furious" encouraged Arizona gun stores to sell thousands of guns to suspicious buyers, despite objections from dealers and even BATFE’s own field agents.Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed, by a vote of 277 to 149, an amendment to H.R. 1 (also offered by Rep. Rehberg, along with Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.)) that also would have prohibited the use of federal funds for this reporting requirement. Unfortunately, the amendment was not included in the final version of the bill as a result of Senate inaction.
In March, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced S. 570--“to prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns." The bill would ensure that federal funds cannot be used for the multiple sales reporting procedure.
NRA will continue to work to make sure the Rehberg Amendment makes it through the appropriations process. The amendment is scheduled to be heard on the House floor in August.
While the Rehberg Amendment is a critically important first step, it is imperative that you contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 570. You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. senators at (202) 224-3121 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (202) 224-3121 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. S. 570 currently has 29 cosponsors. To see if your senators are cosponsors, please click here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:SN00570:@@@P
This alert is posted at: www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=6989
Well, this a good start, but more defunding of Obummer's plans for us slaves is necessary! We really should impeach this child who pretends to be president.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Update: BATFE Director Starts Talking, while Washington Post Keeps Spinning:
Some of the firearms straw-purchased in Arizona for Mexican drug cartels, and allowed to “walk” by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Operation Fast and Furious, may have been paid for with taxpayer money, by paid informants of the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI, according to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
From NRA-ILA Alerts.
~Lordhawke
From NRA-ILA Alerts.
~Lordhawke
BATFE in the belfry, or carefully orchestrated tyranny?
Greetings, everyone;
I know that some of this post is "ancient history" to some of you, however, those who are new to "the game" may find this article informative and help you understand what we're up against; A Rogue Federal Bureaucracy that apparently answers to no one! This is what happens when good men (and women) do nothing. We MUST all become involved in the politics of our nation, or suffer it's loss and the slavery that will surely follow.
This is from an article by Kathryn M. DeLong for "Guns and Patriots"
"Recently, the Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives, also known by its old initials ATF, has been on the receiving end of a myriad of criticism.
The facts revealed about ATF’s Operation Fast and Furious during last month’s congressional hearing have been the source of considerable public scrutiny. This is only one of many instances when ATF has acted recklessly and irresponsibly.
Like many aspects of the federal government, ATF has a long history of corruption.
Established under the Department of the Treasury, ATF was originally meant to serve as a tax-collecting agency, operating independently of the IRS. Today, ATF is also expected to enforce the growing number of laws regulating alcohol, tobacco, and firearms.
After the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, ATF separated from the Treasury Department and was transferred to the Department of Justice with the intent that the agency’s law enforcement role would be carried out more efficiently and effectively under the DOJ.
According to ATF’s mission statement, the agency is committed to protecting our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, and the illegal use and trafficking of firearms.
However, now and in the past, ATF has failed to accomplish these aims without throwing civilians, quite deliberately, in harm’s way.
In the late 1980s, Randy Weaver and his family became the targets of a federal investigation after the FBI and Secret Service learned of Weaver’s alleged involvement in the white supremacist movement.
In 1990, Weaver was approached by an ATF informant Kenneth Fadeley. Fadeley convinced Weaver to shorten the barrels on two shotguns and sell them to him. Once in possession of the firearms, ATF brought charges against Weaver, citing that the length of the guns did not comply with federal law. ATF tried to cut a deal with Weaver, saying that if he became an informant, the charges would be dropped. Weaver denied the truth of the charges and rejected ATF’s proposal.
Weaver’s refusal to cooperate prompted ATF to report false information about him to other agencies involved, leading the government to label him as an extremely dangerous criminal. Because of this misinformation, Weaver was summoned to court, which he missed due to a U.S. Probation Officer mistakenly telling him the wrong date. This resulted in a violent confrontation between the Weaver family and the U.S. Marshals and FBI, leaving four dead – a U.S. Marshal, Weaver’s 14-year-old son Samuel, his wife Vicki, and his pet dog.Had it not been for ATF’s dishonesty, the bloody siege at Ruby Ridge would not have occurred.
The FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi was charged with the murder of Vicki, whom he shot in the head as she stood unarmed in the doorway holding her baby daughter Elisheba. Those charges were later dropped.
In a similar display of irresponsibility, ATF’s failure to execute a search warrant at the Branch Davidian ranch in Waco, Texas led to a 50-day siege, which ultimately led to the deaths of 76 people – more than 20 of which were children.
There have been many reports of ATF directors and agents behaving badly.
In 2002, the chief of the ATF Iowa Field Office was arrested for public intoxication after threatening a group of teenagers with a loaded gun.
More recently, in 2008, an ATF special agent was charged with hitting a woman with his vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.
Also in 2008, an audit was released in which the DOJ reported that 76 firearms were lost, stolen, or missing from ATF between 2002 and 2007.
In 2009, the director of industry operations at ATF of Houston was arrested after a trip to New Orleans for official business. According to reports, Russell Vander Werf disabled a hotel fire alarm and replaced a bedroom door with a piece of plywood containing a “glory hole”. Instead of firing Vander Werf, ATF simply reassigned him to the field office in Washington.
In 2010, an ATF agent was charged with second-degree murder after he emptied his gun on a neighbor in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Also in 2010, an agent was convicted of stealing money from a house during a drug raid. Another agent was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession of illegal drugs, money laundering, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
If we cannot trust these people to abide by the law, how can we trust that they will ensure others are abiding by the law?
Now, in the wake of yet another ATF scandal, it is especially clear that we need to take action to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The number of negative incidents involving ATF seems to be growing; yet the agency itself is still expanding. Expansion means increased regulation, which is a concern – especially in regards to firearms.
Last November, President Obama nominated Andrew Traver to become the new ATF director. But, confirmation of that nomination by the Senate is not likely soon, considering the significant opposition by gun rights advocates and senators concerned about Traver's support of greater regulation of firearms and the firearm culture."
These criminal actions by BATFE are by no means a complete list, but they are known to many people. Does this sound like a benign federal agency set up for the collection of taxes, or is this the forerunner of a federal "Gestapo"? I leave it to you, the reader to decide and then take the appropriate action. If our representatives in Washington D.C. will not bring those responsible for these actions by this Rogue Agency, then we must vote them out of office and vote in representatives who will! If "We, the people" will not "push the re-set button" and "re-boot" our governing body, then I fear greatly that we are lost!
Kathryn M. DeLong is a student of the State University of New York at Buffalo and the leader of her school's College Republican Club. DeLong is a political science major and preparing to apply for law school. Follow her at: https://twitter.com/#!/kathryndelong
I know that some of this post is "ancient history" to some of you, however, those who are new to "the game" may find this article informative and help you understand what we're up against; A Rogue Federal Bureaucracy that apparently answers to no one! This is what happens when good men (and women) do nothing. We MUST all become involved in the politics of our nation, or suffer it's loss and the slavery that will surely follow.
This is from an article by Kathryn M. DeLong for "Guns and Patriots"
"Recently, the Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives, also known by its old initials ATF, has been on the receiving end of a myriad of criticism.
The facts revealed about ATF’s Operation Fast and Furious during last month’s congressional hearing have been the source of considerable public scrutiny. This is only one of many instances when ATF has acted recklessly and irresponsibly.
Like many aspects of the federal government, ATF has a long history of corruption.
Established under the Department of the Treasury, ATF was originally meant to serve as a tax-collecting agency, operating independently of the IRS. Today, ATF is also expected to enforce the growing number of laws regulating alcohol, tobacco, and firearms.
After the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, ATF separated from the Treasury Department and was transferred to the Department of Justice with the intent that the agency’s law enforcement role would be carried out more efficiently and effectively under the DOJ.
According to ATF’s mission statement, the agency is committed to protecting our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, and the illegal use and trafficking of firearms.
However, now and in the past, ATF has failed to accomplish these aims without throwing civilians, quite deliberately, in harm’s way.
In the late 1980s, Randy Weaver and his family became the targets of a federal investigation after the FBI and Secret Service learned of Weaver’s alleged involvement in the white supremacist movement.
In 1990, Weaver was approached by an ATF informant Kenneth Fadeley. Fadeley convinced Weaver to shorten the barrels on two shotguns and sell them to him. Once in possession of the firearms, ATF brought charges against Weaver, citing that the length of the guns did not comply with federal law. ATF tried to cut a deal with Weaver, saying that if he became an informant, the charges would be dropped. Weaver denied the truth of the charges and rejected ATF’s proposal.
Weaver’s refusal to cooperate prompted ATF to report false information about him to other agencies involved, leading the government to label him as an extremely dangerous criminal. Because of this misinformation, Weaver was summoned to court, which he missed due to a U.S. Probation Officer mistakenly telling him the wrong date. This resulted in a violent confrontation between the Weaver family and the U.S. Marshals and FBI, leaving four dead – a U.S. Marshal, Weaver’s 14-year-old son Samuel, his wife Vicki, and his pet dog.Had it not been for ATF’s dishonesty, the bloody siege at Ruby Ridge would not have occurred.
The FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi was charged with the murder of Vicki, whom he shot in the head as she stood unarmed in the doorway holding her baby daughter Elisheba. Those charges were later dropped.
In a similar display of irresponsibility, ATF’s failure to execute a search warrant at the Branch Davidian ranch in Waco, Texas led to a 50-day siege, which ultimately led to the deaths of 76 people – more than 20 of which were children.
There have been many reports of ATF directors and agents behaving badly.
In 2002, the chief of the ATF Iowa Field Office was arrested for public intoxication after threatening a group of teenagers with a loaded gun.
More recently, in 2008, an ATF special agent was charged with hitting a woman with his vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.
Also in 2008, an audit was released in which the DOJ reported that 76 firearms were lost, stolen, or missing from ATF between 2002 and 2007.
In 2009, the director of industry operations at ATF of Houston was arrested after a trip to New Orleans for official business. According to reports, Russell Vander Werf disabled a hotel fire alarm and replaced a bedroom door with a piece of plywood containing a “glory hole”. Instead of firing Vander Werf, ATF simply reassigned him to the field office in Washington.
In 2010, an ATF agent was charged with second-degree murder after he emptied his gun on a neighbor in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Also in 2010, an agent was convicted of stealing money from a house during a drug raid. Another agent was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession of illegal drugs, money laundering, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
If we cannot trust these people to abide by the law, how can we trust that they will ensure others are abiding by the law?
Now, in the wake of yet another ATF scandal, it is especially clear that we need to take action to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The number of negative incidents involving ATF seems to be growing; yet the agency itself is still expanding. Expansion means increased regulation, which is a concern – especially in regards to firearms.
Last November, President Obama nominated Andrew Traver to become the new ATF director. But, confirmation of that nomination by the Senate is not likely soon, considering the significant opposition by gun rights advocates and senators concerned about Traver's support of greater regulation of firearms and the firearm culture."
These criminal actions by BATFE are by no means a complete list, but they are known to many people. Does this sound like a benign federal agency set up for the collection of taxes, or is this the forerunner of a federal "Gestapo"? I leave it to you, the reader to decide and then take the appropriate action. If our representatives in Washington D.C. will not bring those responsible for these actions by this Rogue Agency, then we must vote them out of office and vote in representatives who will! If "We, the people" will not "push the re-set button" and "re-boot" our governing body, then I fear greatly that we are lost!
Kathryn M. DeLong is a student of the State University of New York at Buffalo and the leader of her school's College Republican Club. DeLong is a political science major and preparing to apply for law school. Follow her at: https://twitter.com/#!/kathryndelong
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