“Gun rights advocates following the “Project Gunwalker” story* have received replies from their United States Senators, Richard Lugar (R- Ind) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn), who say they are aware of allegations about gun monitoring operations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) gone awry, and claim they are conducting staff investigations of the accusations,” the Gun Rights Examiner column reported on Feb. 21.
This development reflected the type of grassroots activism needed to keep the momentum on this story going forward by putting representatives on notice and publicizing their responses. And while some were quick to observe Senators Lugar and Lieberman haven’t exactly been friends to gun owners over the years, their willingness to address the issue and to promise follow-up is more than most politicians have been inclined to volunteer, including political allies.
Allies like Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), rated “A” by NRA and also by Gun Owners of America.
From a long-time reader and correspondent who is represented by Congressman Bilirakis:
After repeated e-mails to his office with both your commentary on Project Gunwalker and John Longenecker’s commentary, I finally got a response. How overwhelmingly generic!
Read the official response letter by clicking on the photo accompanying this column.
It’s probably fair to say the initial inquiries were never passed on to the congressman, and some low-level staffer, oblivious to the important implications of this story, just picked the closest boilerplate reply they could find on the pat ‘em on the head and send ‘em on their way response menu.
That’s not good enough, but in recognition of his past good deeds, my correspondent has given Rep. Bilirakis a second chance, sending him the link to the CBS News exposé, and “including a sincere ‘thank you for the generic, impersonal response.’ I also noted that this could be an issue for International Relations, Government Reform, Homeland Security, or Immigration (issue categories on Bilirakis’ message handler) with the deportation of witnesses.”
This column reported last Thursday that Gun Owners of America released a Congressional Briefing Paper, and the following critical support from all readers who consider themselves gun rights advocates was requested:
Please use this briefing paper, get it to your representative, demand to know what he intends to do about it, and let him know if his answer is anything short of what is expected of a leader, you will make his evasion and equivocation on this matter of basic truth, justice and decency known at election time.
I’d add one more thing to that. Also send them a link to this column, and make it clear that any equivocation or avoidance may be publicly disclosed. If enough politicians try to hide from this or keep it at arm’s length, perhaps a contest of sorts, to determine which one has responded in the most evasive manner might be in order. And the “winner” could receive appropriate recognition.
Maybe call the “contest” something like “Project Gunweasel”…
Hell, I might even spring for a plaque.
Also see:
- A journalist’s guide to ‘Project Gunwalker' for a complete list with links of independent investigative reporting and commentary done to date by Sipsey Street Irregulars and Gun Rights Examiner.
*Note to newcomers to this story: “Project Gunrunner” is the name ATF assigned to its Southwest Border Initiative to interdict gun smuggling to Mexico. “Project Gunwalker” is the name I assigned to the scandal after allegations by agents that monitored guns were allowed to fall into criminal hands on both sides of the border through a surveillance process termed “walking” surfaced.
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Comments
More good stuff! Thanks for keeping on top of this, David!
Actually, David, it really wouldn't be fair to give out just ONE award for Gunweasel. That surely should cover as many different categories as the Academe Awards in Hollywood. I'll start thinking up names for the categories.
Start with Bloomberg lifetime award for stupidity...
Well, Charlie Bass [R-NH] is ignoring this (and all my letters). I expected that, since the only thing that gets his attention are campaign donations.
Likewise, Sen. Ayotte [R-NH] is blowing this off. But since she made her political bones by covering up and excusing police misconduct, that might even be a good thing. I was amused that she issued a press release regarding the Egyptian people's protests of an unresponsive and corrupt government, even as she ignores Gunwalker and constituents. Irony? What's that?
Sen. Shaheen [D-NH] is also burying her head in the sand. I don't even get automated system responses anymore. I suspect they added me to the email blacklist. But she could just be waiting for Reid to issue her an opinion.
I almost miss Hodes (the delusional Dem we voted out, whose seat Bass snatched). At least he made responses, generally so out of touch with reality as to indicate his residence in another space-time continuum, which were often non sequiturally funny.
Live in Kalifornia, but sent Sen. Grassley a letter of support and thanks. Did write our two defenders of "freedom", Senators Boxer and Feinstein, rather courteous letters outling the the issue with a link to your page and asking that they support Grassley's efforts. That was only earlier this week, but have already given up on holding my breath until they respond. Plan on keeping up the letter writing until they at least recognize that there is a problem. Sadly, my State-guns.net forum only recently had anything about project gunwalker on it. That was from a member who saw Katie's program not from any of the 2a rights authors or the administrators. So far, I am the only one to suggest writing their elected representatives. Most of the gun rights people I know seem to feel that they should not make waves. Think they believe saying anything could make matters worse. WRONG, it's the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And even if it doesn't turn our way, we at least have the satisfaction of knowing we tried...hard!
Another oppressed CA gun owner, 2nd amendment and liberty supporter here.
Keep up the pressure Mr. Codrea. The work you and countless other 2nd amendment advocates are doing is sooooooooo important.
I am helping to spread the word in every way I can think of.
God bless you.
I nominate Rick Perry.
Keep us updated on the plaque idea. I'll kick in a few bucks.
I haven't heard back from Senator Grassley yet, but I realize he's very busy. Our other Senator, Harkin is so anti gun he's almost useless.
I have also not found out where Representative Boswell stands on this. He's always talking about how 2A friendly he is. Let's see if his actions follow how his mouth moves.
Keep up the good work. You and Mike should be commended for all you are doing.
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