ATF, ICE partnership against gunowners now a reality

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement updated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday that clearly establishes how the two agencies will work together on investigations of international firearms trafficking and possession of firearms by illegal aliens.

While on the surface that may sound reasonable, some civil libertarians are less than enthusiastic. They believe that such a coalition -- ATF and ICE agents -- will target law-abiding American gunowners as was done in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when in the midst of a severe catastrophe the ATF's priority was disarming Americans in New Orleans.

According to government officials, ATF and ICE routinely conduct joint investigations. MOU agreement clarifies the notification process each agency is expected to follow while investigating the international trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives, weapons and munitions. Both agencies are committed to working together to reduce firearms-related violence along the US border, but neither agency possesses jurisdiction inside Mexico, where the bulk of the gang-related violence is occurring.

"This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to working together to protect the American people along our borders and throughout the country," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

"Through enhanced information sharing, we will be able to utilize the full range of the federal government's capabilities to disrupt firearms trafficking while strengthening efforts to combat organized crime," she said.

"That statement alone should sound alarm bells since it means sharing gun registration information with an agency that is supposed to protect borders and fight terrorists, but appears intent on going after American citizens who are neither illegal aliens or terrorists. What happened to confidentiality?" asks political scientist and strategist Michael Baker.

"Under the guise of protecting Americans, the federal government appears to be targeting Americans since the jurisdiction of ICE and the ATF ends at our borders," warns Baker.

"The significant challenges we face from the Mexican cartels require a coordinated and coherent response across all levels of government, both domestically and internationally," said Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden.

"We know that when we work together, we can have a substantial impact. With the signing of this agreement, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security prove our joint commitment to combating firearms trafficking," according to Ogden.[Writer's emphasis]

The critical nature of these investigations and enforcement has been highlighted in recent years with the escalated gun violence between rival drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, and DTO violence against officials from the government of Mexico, which have claimed several thousand lives in that country.

"It is essential that we do all we can to stop gun trafficking that fuels violence by criminal organizations, especially along the Southwest Border," said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton.

"This new agreement will guide the use of our collective authorities to dismantle criminal enterprises and to interdict the flow of firearms in to Mexico," said Morton [Writer's emphasis]

"ATF's strategic plan addresses violent crime and firearms trafficking across the nation," said ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson. "This MOU allows ATF and ICE to better serve America by maximizing their law enforcement efforts and expertise to keep our citizens safe and secure."

In other words, Melson is pinpointing the targets for the ICE/ATF coalition: American citizens. Many law enforcement officers believe that once again the federal government is intruding on the rights of State and local governments to police their own jurisdictions.

This ATF/DHS agreement establishes a framework for both agencies to conduct investigations and share intelligence. The MOU was signed by both agency heads at the ATF-sponsored Violent Crime and Firearms Trafficking Summit in Albuquerque, NM

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing federal firearms and explosives laws, and has the sole authority to regulate and inspect those two industries. ICE is the federal agency responsible for the enforcement of import, export and immigration laws.

"By working jointly to exercise these unique law enforcement authorities, the two agencies are well-equipped to investigate gun law violations as they pertain to international firearms trafficking" according to the MOU.