BATF Gunrunner Scandal



The BATF Gunrunner fiasco continues to grow into a full-blown Watergate style scandal.  Now the news media is sniffing around, scratching at the surface like they always do, asking the wrong questions.

You can read all about it on the HCA website here: ATF Scandal - Project Gunrunner.

The latest information is that Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee gave BATF and DOJ until March 30th to provide documents and information to his committee.  When that deadline expired without a response from DOJ, Rep. Issa issued a subponea demanding DOJ respond by April 16.  As of Easter, the 24th, the DOJ has blown off Issa's inquiries and the subponea.  Issa plans to press forward with contempt of Congress charges against DOJ officials. 

Let's hope he goes for the big fish.  He should be turning the thumbscrews on acting BATF director Kenneth Melson and dragging DOJ's lawyers through the mud for giving bad advice.

Mexico To Sue U.S. Gun Makers?

More stupidity from the politicians.  Mexcian President Felipe Calderon’s government has hired U.S. trial lawyers to investigate possible litigation against U.S. gun makers and firearms retailers, seeking to hold these lawful companies responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms in Mexico.  

Well, ain't that special?  I had no idea that the Brady Campaign employed anyone who could speak Spanish.  It sounds as if the Brady's, the VPC and Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns are now advising Mexico to stir up the pot.  I'm sure we'll hear the same old discredited arguments.  The gun industry makes their guns more available along the border so they'll be sold to any Tom, Dick or Juan who comes in with a paper sack full of cash (with BATF approval of course).  Thus, by flooding the region with guns, they support Mexico's drug cartels.  If it's not that theory, it'll be one just as retarded.

Look at it this way.  I've seen some photos of the drug cartel gunfights. After a gunfight, the cartel members escape in vehicles.  Perhaps Calderon should be suing U.S. carmakers because their lawful products are misused by the drug cartel. 

Let's look at some real facts here.  Remember that number Mr. Obama and Attorney General Holder tossed around a while back?   That 90% of the guns traced originated in the U.S.?  That number is now thoroughly discredited.  Subsequent analysis shows...

* 80% of guns recovered in Mexico do not come from the U.S.

* An indpendent study by STRATFOR, show less than 12% of the guns seized in Mexico came from the US

* ATF traces on recovered guns showed most guns were sold at retail on average, 14 years ago.

* ATF inspected more than 2,000 dealers along the border. 

* No criminal charges were filed against the dealers, not even for gun running.

* Out of 2000 dealers, two had their liceneses revoked (0.01%) for unspecified violations.

During the time of the ATF dealer inspections as many as 150,000 Mexican soldiers defected to work for the drug cartels, bringing their American-made service-issued firearms with them.

It would seem that the two biggest suppliers of firearms to Mexico are the BATF and our DEA anti-drug efforts.  Uncle Sam is providing more guns than the cartels could buy in a year.

Why is it that politicians seem to believe that holding a manufactuer responsible the criminal misuse of a produce he made a decade-and-a-half ago is "reasonable" or "common sense"? Wouldn't that mean Chevrolet is responsible for many drive-by shootings in LA, Chicago, D.C. and even in Mexico? 

What about the makers of knives?  Should Gerber, Kabar, Chicago Cutlery and Onedia be held responsible for stabbing deaths and injuries?  After all, don't they all make those deadly "stabbing weapons"?