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

[Tim Nunan]

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

Friday, June 19, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

[SomeGuy]

[redbarron06]

ATF "May we see your guns?"

Me "How do you know I have any guns, dont you know that it is illegal to keep a database of who has bought guns in this country? I guess you will have to take your illegal database to a judge and get a warrent based on information you are not allowed to have. You are tresspassing on my property, have a nice day."

[C. Richard Archie]

Get ready, a lot more of that to come.

SS and Brownshirts are headed our way!

[backwoodsman]

yes, and protesting is now considered low level terrorism, is that not stupid? yes its called control,complete control by the fed over the citizenry, dont be suprised to see blackwater helping the fed, they are in iraq,and have been for a long time, their deaths are not counted but they are there, there are also troops that are former war vets that are trained as supplemental force, i can't recall the name right now, but their tactics involve extreme force, gustapo yes, they are doing the end run to the second amendment via infringing your first amendment rights,and for any reason they deem, you may be named an enemy combatant, goodbye your in jail,no lawyer, eventually but the patriot act needs to be rescinded ,as well as the edict established by bush,which is still in effect, to name you or anyone an enemy combatant,and therefore screwed out of any rights,your looking at tyrants in action, your second amendment rights are not the only rights under fire.

[redbarron06]

[photoguy67]

[ProguninTN]

Geez, what happened to the 4th Amendment ?

[falcon1]

[SomeGuy]

[Tim Nunan]

[backwoodsman]

thats the deal, you will be resisting arrest, just enforcing their suspicion that you were a terrorist, its the ole deal, you hang together or you hang apart,that fear of being abused keeps many from not being vocal and re-enforces their superiority over you.the plan is to beat you down mentally, instill fear,and lastly use force under the guise of law. our constitution as it was written is in jeopardy to say the least, they have edicts in place to jail you and troops already staged to beat you down all under the guise of keeping peace and civility.