What does 'Operation Southbound Steel' tell us about smuggling U.S. guns to Mexico?

March 29, 9:54 AMGun Rights ExaminerDavid Codrea

Banner graphic from ATF's "Project Gunrunner" page

The ATF Atlanta Field Division put out a "request for information" for "Operation Southbound Steel" on March 26 "advising law enforcement agencies of a firearms trafficking trend that involves the movement of illegal firearms from Atlanta, GA to Mexico."

Why?

Within the last 5 months, Mississippi Law Enforcement affected 3 interdiction stops resulting in a total of 45 firearms seizures.

Oh? And what was seized? Well, let's see.

A March 18 stop yielded "6 firearms".

A consensual search of the vehicles revealed five 12 gauge shotguns and one .22 caliber rifle in the towed vehicle.

A February 3 stop turned up "4 firearms".

A consensual search of the vehicle disclosed a 12 gauge shotgun in the interior of the vehicle and three semi-automatic handguns...

They did somewhat better on a November 21 stop, which yielded "35 firearms," consisting of:

...23 long guns and 12 handguns; and approx. four thousand rounds of ammunition...

What is it we don't see in the advisory?

Characterization of any of the firearms as "assault weapons." And remember, this advisory covers a five-month span of activity.

Curious. Because their big push, coming straight from Eric Holder, is that U.S. "assault weapons" are enabling the Mexican drug cartel violence. That line is both our official domestic and foreign policy. And that is being used as justification to call for further restrictions on the rights of U.S. gun owners.

"Traditional media," of course, eats it right up. And if you think they like it now, just wait until they become official subsidized mouthpieces for the "progressive" overarching state they so love.

So why is it you're not hearing any of this from them?

At least you'll hear more about it from me. That's my intent, anyway...