The NFA Owners Association has posted a letter to incoming representatives from former Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jim Lightfoot advising they investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) (click here, then on “Letters by Members of Congress Regarding ATF Mismanagement”).
His unique qualifications to do so?
As a former Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service and General Government, Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Lightfoot had responsibility for approving ATF's budget and gained insights into ATF operations.
Here’s the relevant excerpt from Rep. Lightfoot’s letter:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) would be a good place to start. It is one of the smaller agencies, therefore completing the audits and investigations will take less time. It is an agency that has drifted for nearly six years without a permanent Director.
ATF was recently featured on CNN regarding an agent who blew the whistle on an illegal wiretap and was rewarded with exile to an office with nothing to do for two years.
One of their Special Agents in Charge (SAC) was found by a local reporter to be driving a brand new Cadillac with all the bells and whistles plus a police package. His punishment was to move him to DC Headquarters with a promotion.
Check the millions of dollars paid out in settlements to employees as well as the huge backlog of employee complaints being ignored. Compare this to other larger agencies and you will be shocked at the level of abuse and waste.
While this hardly touches on many of the issues we’ve discussed in this column, from arbitrary classifications to baffling rulings to motivated persecutions to perjury to unreliable records used to prosecute citizens, and much more, it’s at least a start.
To those of us who feel like we’ve been lonely voices in the wilderness—for a long time—it’s nice to be joined by another, especially one so prominent.
But it’s all meaningless noise unless you join us—and get your gun owner friends to do so as well.
Will you take five minutes to contact your representative and let them know you expect them to support ATF oversight hearings?
Also see:
------------
The tale of R.A. Bear
If only this were a children’s story.
My understanding is additional corroborating documentation will be available before too long. It’s one of the reasons I’d prefer this be done in the open, rather than behind closed doors, despite cries of “Oh, bother!” from some.
Again, stay tuned.
Comments
The best answer for this would be to abolish the ATF!
Corruption…Misappropriation of funds…?
Oh David I can hardly believe the ATF would be anything less than the most up-holding lily White clean organization in gobermint today!
Why they have spent every dollar wisely in the harassment, intimidation and framing of gun owners.
Why do you think they misplaced one dollar when they railroaded David Olofson to prison or illegally confiscated the property of KT Ordnance or murdered the innocent people of WACO?
(Sarcasm off)
I agree with the first poster shut’em down but I would add “lock’em up then throw away the key”
How about someone looking into the false votes concerning the post '86 M.G. ban. That should overturn tons of false ATF arrests. We need to get to the bottom of the entire vote fraud and how the bill was passed, and then arrest some politicians SOON!!!
And then repeal the entire NFA crap. Show it for the bogus law that it has always been.
Lack of congressional oversight of BATFE is not the problem. The existance of BATFE is the problem. I will gladly vote for anyone who solves it.
DDS -- NRA Life Member
Lack of congressional oversight of BATFE is not the problem. The existance of BATFE is the problem. I will gladly vote for anyone who solves it.
DDS -- NRA Life Member
AMEN! And I second the motion!
Second that motion: ATF 'MUST' be shut down, and its staff systematically prosecuted one-by-one for "atrocities", starting with the heads!!! It IS -like the Fed Reserve- an Agency ooc [outta control] -as we ALL KNOW! Our NEW WASH. REPS. MUST JOIN IN, else all the talk is just dribble...
To A. Rex:
I third that motion. I think that BATFE's work is redundant with the FBI's already. FBI should cease its international operations, and instead take over BATFE's ops. Most of the latter's workload is federal in nature and scope, anyway.
Away with BATFE!
It's about time someone takes a look at the BATFE. This group of bullies and thugs have run over people trampled Constitutional Rights into the ground with impunity. It seems every Director appointed has been temporary, and has been a RABID Anti Gun Zealot. Not only investigate but also incarcerate and de-activate this Rogue element of our government.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!