November 2007 meeting

[Tim Nunan]

The November meeting of the Tennessee Firearms Association Lakeway Chapter will be held on Tuesday evening, the 20th of November, 2007

Steven L. Cordle, Supervisory Special Agent ATF Knoxville will be our guest speaker
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Our meeting place is the Shoneys Family Restaurant at 1933 West Andrew Johnson Highway (Hwy 11E), Morristown TN. This restaurant is located 1/2 block east of the West Andrew Johnson highway (Hwy 11E) and Morris Blvd intersection, more or less across from the Home Depot. There is a large, highly visible sign in front along with plenty of parking space. A pre-meeting social hour is from 6 PM to 7 PM during which you may want to eat dinner. The meeting will begin promptly at 7 PM and end at 8 PM. Opportunity will be given to ask questions related to the topic.

Membership is not required - gun owners, 2nd Amendment supporters, and interested public are urged to attend. For more information contact Bill Kaylor 423 586 9121/email w9dsm@charter.net or Tim Nunan 423-586-8459/email bentcreek@outdrs.net.

[Tim Nunan]

ATF Supervisory Special Agent Steve Cordle provided candid and forthright insight on how the Knoxville office is set up and operates.

Cordle didn't shy from any questions nor give waffling answers. When some of the questions concerned policy of which gun owners might not approve he suggested we contact our elected officals.

There was discussion on the names given to the NCIC by the Veterans Administration and the newly proposed push to have all veterans evaluated for post tramatic stress syndrome (PTS). Cordle said the ATF doesn't and can't legally use this data if it is just someone that has been evaluated or treated for PTS. The law as currently written states only those "ajudicated by a court" can be denied firearm possession and that is the criteria used by ATF. Cordle did admit that the names in the NCIC by the VA would be denied when attempting to purchase a firearm. He also said that he told his father that if the VA ever suggest such an evaluation his dad was to denied it.

We discussed the actions of the ATF agents in Virgina going to gun shows and then harassing customers' family and neighbors by visiting them and asking if they knew the individual was buying or thinking about buying a firearm. Cordle stated that would never happen out of his office and that the Virgina office was disciplined for what they did.

A good speaker, laid back and friendly presentation.