On Monday, we asked if ATF could be reformed, and highlighted legislation supported by the National Rifle Association promising to do just that. On Tuesday, we checked in with Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, which thinks the agency should be "booted," not made over. And yesterday, we heard from disgruntled ATF employees themselves, who have a list of grievances they want to see "cleaned up."
All approaches have their critics. The reform effort is reacted to by some with derision-- I've had comments posted dismissing it as "lipstick on a pig" and "rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic." The "boot" option is dismissed by those who don't see any chance of it happening. And ATF employees who wish to continue their work in a kinder, gentler environment are met by many with contempt, not sympathy. The agency, its activities and its history foster no goodwill among many gun rights activists, who would like to see ATF hirelings go into a different line of work altogether--and who would prefer to see some of them behind bars.
Still, there's something proponents of all three approaches--and their critics--ought to be able to do now that could have a satisfying effect--and will only burden anyone supporting it for a minute or two. Mike Vanderboegh at Sipsey Street Irregulars proposed it, and I think it's a powerful idea and well worth exploiting:
Now, this may strike many of my readers as ridiculous. One called it, "Just like being a shop steward representing concentration camp guards -- he's still a guard. Who cares if he has a b***h with the camp commandant? Why would we want to support somebody who just wants to make an unconstitutional agency more fair and efficient?"
Well, I'll tell you why. The fact of the matter is that WE, all by ourselves, are not ever going to get oversight hearings into ATF misconduct...And, I will concede that it may well be too late for any hearings to have a material effect on events. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't try...
So here's what I urge you to do. If you have a congressman or congresswoman who is on any oversight committee, whether they are Republican or Democrat, forward these damning allegations by field agents against the SES crooks to the congresscritters with the demand that they look into these charges. Don't editorialize. Don't criticize the agency's mission. Keep it short and simple. You want the taxpayer's dollars protected and spent wisely. You want these agents' complaints looked into.
I think it's a beautiful plan. I think we should try.
Your letter or email doesn't need to be any more detailed than this--feel free to copy it and/or modify it as appropriate if you don't wish to write your own message:
According to ATF employees who are risking their careers to post information on CleanUpATF.org:
"Managers, Counsel, Internal Affairs and staff of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE or "ATF") have repeatedly given false testimony, concealed substantial waste, fraud and abuse, abused their lawful authority, and waged systematic campaigns of reprisal against their own employees that dare to speak out. This website is intended by members of the ATF community to promote restoration of integrity, accountability and responsibility to ATF's leadership, and regain the trust of the American taxpayer. "
This is inexcusable. Please get back to me and let me know what you are doing to ensure hearings into these serious criminal allegations are conducted without delay.
Who do you send it to?
I'd start with my representatives--you can find your congressman here, and your senators here. Then, I'd contact the Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Here's the contact form, and a screenshot of my submission:
See, like the commercial says, it's "so easy even a caveman can do it."
Isn't it past time we made some of the abusers personally accountable for their actions? Will you take a few minutes to join me, and to spread the word?
Filed by David Codrea/Gun Rights Examiner: 10 September 2009
Comments
Og smash puny website with club.
The problem I have with this approach is that in CA, our two illustrious Senators are hopeless when it comes to fair gun laws/policy. My assemblyperson is Dummie Origato Matsui. Oh, I just hate contacting these idiots...but will! It's useless though, sorry!
Edin Sac: The more they hear from us--even our antagonists--the more of an impression it will make--but at the very least, please do the Oversight and Reform Committee form. And please spread the word on this.
Fired off a note to my Rep. Buck McKeon. He's the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.
I'll let you know how he responds when I get one.
He's usually pretty good about responding.
I hope there is a reward for the whistle blowers.
I have contacted Fein/Box today and will post any reply. Fein usually takes quite a long time. Box sometimes never answers. But yes, have done as suggested. Now for Matsui :-))
EdinSac - know exactly what you mean. I've not much hope for any of the New Hampshire delegation any more. Gregg was always weak on guns, and now he's the best we have, and he's retiring. But it is always worthwhile to keep the heat on, especially with midterms coming up. Even if they won't do anything, their response or lack thereof might possibly become a campaign issue, among gunnies at least.
And again--the main people I want you to contact are the committee members, which can be done in literally under a minute by clicking on the link, filling out their form and pasting in the message.
There is another option that I think is just as powerful...
A request for the Congressional Research Service for members of congress for a report on ATF corruption.
A CRS report is far more easier to get than hearings, and requires far less work on behalf of your representative.
If CRS was inundated with requests from multiple members of congress, you can bet the report will be commisioned, even if it is just a memorandum.
O.K., I'll be your huckleberry...and give it one more shot.
"And we'll all be drinkin' that green bubble-up and eatin' that rainbow stew." - Tom T. Hall, C&W Hall of Fame songwriter.
Molon Labe,
lee
I'll stop swingin' at the piñata when I'm dead, Lee...:)
David I would like to see the ATF abolished but I know we need a starting place.
So I’m going to email my 2 senators and congressman and the committee you suggested.
I would suggest that anyone wanting an easy email lookup system should go to GOA and use that web site
David your one of the good guys and I believe that we need to encourage this type of activism and I thank you and applaud you for this effort
Its easy to criticize I and do plenty of that but taking action (one type or the other) is the only way we will get results.
Thank Repeal, Demand Repeal!
Done
It was easy since the GOA web site saves my contact info
David I hope this works.
I altered the letter provided just a little and on the subject line I wrote “employees of the AFT tired of corruption need your help”
Man this is a bad day for me I meant to say in my first post “It’s easy to criticize “and I” do plenty of that”
Also would like to correct “Think Repeal, Demand Repeal”
David thanks again maybe every week or so we can do a similar bit of activism.
Maybe we should find away to force the NRA off their compromise totem pole
And when you're done sending the email, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform thanks you for your input. What a warm feeling, just like peeing your pants.
The only real solution to the ATF? "Unintended Consequences"
Calling/ writing our politicians is not going to work. They are the idiots that got us where we're at.
I was just contacted by my Senator's Office (Sen. Merkley), in response to my pleas to take a look at the ATF. The caller said that having any members of the CleanUpATF.org that have any documented proof contact the House or Senate Judiciary committees would be the best route to FORCE something to happen... I can't seem to find out how to contact anyone that runs that site though!
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