Your Federal Tax Dollar$ at Work

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Scott
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Your Federal Tax Dollar$ at Work

Post by Scott »

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE), who
seem to go out of their way to alienate gun owners with their
heavy-handedness, behaved in a shameful manner this last weekend at
the Showmasters' gun show in Richmond.

I had reports from members of police going to their houses while the
member was waiting for their approval to purchase a gun at the show!
The police asked the spouse and other family members questions about
the purchases and filled in a survey! "Did you know your husband was
going to a gun show today?" "Did you know your husband was going to
buy a gun today?" and many other such questions.

If no one was home at the gun purchaser's house, the police went to
the neighbors! "Did you know that your neighbor was buying a gun
today? How do you feel about him doing so?"

One member, who was carrying a personal gun to sell, was approached
by BATFE and taken to a car while they checked him out. The officer
said in front of Showmasters' management, "Did you know you need a
business license to sell a gun at this show? I have seen you at a
lot of shows - are you in the business of selling guns? I think you
are." That's called a fishing expedition and intimidation. In the
end they let the VCDL member go because their fish hooks came up
empty.

They had over 17 BATFE agents at that show. Richmond and Henrico had
a large number of officers running to the homes of anyone purchasing
a handgun to ask questions.

I guess Mayor Wilder is flush with cash all of a sudden. Too bad he
didn't use that money to put all those cops into the rougher
neighborhoods of Richmond, instead of harassing the decent citizens
who buy guns at a gun show.

And, if you are sitting down, the main BATFE agent at the show told
Showmasters' management that Richmond was going to be the model for
this kind of behavior across the nation!!!

BUT, THERE IS GOOD NEWS.

Steve Elliott, who heads up C&E Gun Shows and is affiliated with
Showmasters, along with Annette Gelles, who heads up Showmasters,
went to Washington with some lawyers to get this straightened out on
Monday. (BTW, Steve told me that he has spent in excess of $10,000
this year on legal fees fighting this kind of abuse.)

Steve and Annette were told by the BATFE in DC that BATFE would no
longer be sending officers to people's houses who were purchasing a
firearm and that what happened in Richmond should not have happened.

We will be watching carefully to see if BATFE keeps its word or not.
Report any such abuse immediately to VCDL, along with the officer's
name, badge number, and department.

***************************************************************************
VA-ALERT is a project of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL).
VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to
defending the human rights of all Virginians. The membership considers the
Right to Keep and Bear Arms to be an essential human right.

VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org
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Glock and dagger
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Post by Glock and dagger »

What a bunch of pricks!!!
I'm Glock and Dagger and I approved this message.

"If it deprives just one citizen of their God-given rights, it's not worth it."
-evan price

FOOTOS... the Fresh Fighter
TunnelRat
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Re: Your Federal Tax Dollar$ at Work

Post by TunnelRat »

Scott wrote:The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE), who seem to go out of their way to alienate gun owners with their heavy-handedness, behaved in a shameful manner this last weekend at the Showmasters' gun show in Richmond.

I had reports from members of police going to their houses while the member was waiting for their approval to purchase a gun at the show! The police asked the spouse and other family members questions about the purchases and filled in a survey! "Did you know your husband was going to a gun show today?" "Did you know your husband was going to buy a gun today?" and many other such questions.
This would appear to be a deliberate attempt to chill the exercise of a constitutional right under color of law. I would think someone to whom this happened would have a cause of action. Where is the ACLU when you need them...?
TunnelRat

"Applying the standard that is well established in our case law, we hold that the Second Amendment right is fully applicable to the States." ~ McDonald v. Chicago

When your only tools are a hammer and sickle, every problem starts to look like too much freedom.
Brian_Horton
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Re: Your Federal Tax Dollar$ at Work

Post by Brian_Horton »

tommcnaughton wrote: Where is the ACLU when you need them...?
Defending pornographers, terrorists, and illegal aliens and taking down the Ten Commandments. They only defend "civil liberties" and parts of the constitution that they like.

This whole story {inappropriate language} me off and makes me sick.
When the goin' gets tough, the tough go cyclic.

Happiness is a crew served weapon.
uperrsc
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Location: Medina

Post by uperrsc »

Seems hard to believe, I hope this is not true.
Scott Perrine
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Wayne
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Post by Wayne »

uperrsc wrote:Seems hard to believe, I hope this is not true.
I could believe anything from this government...(Ruby Ridge,Waco)come to mind.
Never Have So Many Owed So Much To So Few.
OldManTod
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Post by OldManTod »

In my neighborhood they would welcome the BATFE folks, they would then escort them to the "recovering" pedophile's house and make sure that he knew the dude with 4 children has guns and is purchasing more.

I am being fecicous, I am not happy that our tax dollars being spent this way (however I don't mind predators knowing I have a gun)...

T
"I feel sorry for you people who do not drink, when you wake up in the morning, that is as good as you are going to feel all day." - Dean
Willy P
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Location: Madison Co.

Post by Willy P »

You would think that I could have been sent a letter by the government that a sex offender was moving within 200 yards of my daughter and grandson! That would have been cheaper at $.37 for a stamp! I agree they need to go to those type people and let them know I'm buying something in case the help they are getting to reform themselves fails and they are in the wrong place at the right time!
OldManTod
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Post by OldManTod »

goto http://ohio.esorn.net/ICWAgencySite.dll/EmailRegister and register your address and details and you will get notified everytime somebody registers...

T
"I feel sorry for you people who do not drink, when you wake up in the morning, that is as good as you are going to feel all day." - Dean
Willy P
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Location: Madison Co.

Post by Willy P »

OldManTod Thank YOU! I looked on the Mad. Co. sight. There are 2 near my daughter and grandson and one the wife either did not know about or wouldn't tell me about that is within sight of my front door! Matter of fact he stumbled down the street the other evening and I mentioned he look like someone to keep an eye on. The wife mumbled and went on. You know she is a part time dispatcher for the police here in town but never mentioned this guy. I'm going to play her out and see if she really knows about this [expletive deleted -- TR] and was not telling me. I owe you one!
Willy P
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Post by Willy P »

I had to tack this on just so some could see the reasoning the Government gives when sending out the list of sex offenders living in a persons area. I particularly love the likening these citizens to speeders. Seems like if they are going to use logic like this the offenders need to be classed as vicious dogs and destroyed on the second "bite". That is just my opinion. Pasted below is the end of the email you get if you are on the inform of offenders in you area list.

**************************************************

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

This notification should assist you and your family in avoiding situations that allow for easy access
to victims. Don't harass your neighbor. An offender put in a stressful state is more likely to
relapse. Let's help him to succeed; we all win with fewer victims.
Please remember that these people have served their sentences and are not wanted by the Sheriff’s
office at this time. Citizen abuse of this information such as threats, intimidation, or harassment of
these offenders is prohibited by law.

Children are particularly vulnerable to sex offenders. Open communications between parents and
children are vital components of family safety. If a picture is available from your government Web
site, show it to your family. In general terms, tell your children that this person has hurt someone
before. Explain to them they should stay away from this individual. Avoid scary details. The
purpose behind community notification is to reduce the chance of future victimization by better
informing the public. Nearly 80% of all sex crimes are committed by someone known to the victim.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. Is it just a matter of time before the offender commits another crime?
A. While there is no way that anyone can accurately predict the future behavior of another person,
past behaviors are an indication of whether an individual, or group, poses a higher risk to the public.
For example, if a driver has speeding tickets, they pose a greater risk to be in a traffic accident than
drivers who do not; thus, they pay more for their insurance because they are more likely to get into
an accident than non-speeders. Not all speeders get into accidents. In fact, most will not have an
accident; it's just that they are statistically more likely to have an accident than are other drivers.
Similarly, not all offenders will commit another crime; however, knowledge of a potential risk should
assist you and your family in avoiding situations that allow for easy access to victims.

Q. There is a sexual predator/offender in our area that I believe is still coming in contact with
children. What should I do?
A. First of all, do not confront the individual. Contact us and inform us of your suspicion. We
will inquire whether or not contact with children is being made.

Q. What do I tell my children about this offender?
A. DON'T accept a ride from this person, DON'T go into their home or yard. TELL your parents if
this person offers you toys, money or gifts.

Other safety tips to discuss with your children:

> There are certain kinds of strangers that can assist you when you need help - others with
children, other children, police in uniform or store
clerks in the mall.
> Teach your children to dial 911 and to use a pay phone without money.
> Teach your children to trust their feelings and say NO and run away from a situation that doesn't
feel right.

You will be emailed again if any new offenders move within 1 mile of your registered address.

If you find this service valuable please tell your friends and neighbors to sign up. You can
forward them a copy of this email if you wish.
OldManTod
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...

Post by OldManTod »

I am going to have fun with this a play a little Micheal Moore:

"An offender put in a stressful state is more likely to
relapse. Let's help him to succeed; we all win with fewer "

I agree, lets stress him, lets help him succeed in his relapse so I can defend my family, after all, we all win with fewer offenders right??

T
"I feel sorry for you people who do not drink, when you wake up in the morning, that is as good as you are going to feel all day." - Dean
TunnelRat
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Post by TunnelRat »

I'm not sure just how valuable the information on that list is. I asked for the perverts in my area and got a list of more than 20! Kinda makes me wonder what sort of criteria they are using to put names on that list.... :?
TunnelRat

"Applying the standard that is well established in our case law, we hold that the Second Amendment right is fully applicable to the States." ~ McDonald v. Chicago

When your only tools are a hammer and sickle, every problem starts to look like too much freedom.
OldManTod
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Location: Just south of the really big lake.
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Post by OldManTod »

I would have to say that mileage may vary, however every search I have come up with has pointed out the "perv" and I have in fact seen them around the neighborhood.

T
"I feel sorry for you people who do not drink, when you wake up in the morning, that is as good as you are going to feel all day." - Dean
NavyChief
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Post by NavyChief »

tommcnaughton wrote:I'm not sure just how valuable the information on that list is. I asked for the perverts in my area and got a list of more than 20! Kinda makes me wonder what sort of criteria they are using to put names on that list.... :?
While I do want the information, that has long been my concern. Simply saying someone is a sex offender doesn't really tell me anything. For example, a 21-yo with a 16-yo, in many states qualifies a statutory rape and therefore is a sex offender. But are we really getting the whole story there? Probably not. OTOH, forcible sex with a child under 12 by an adult male... No brainer. Fortunately, here in FL they're starting to break it down what the conviction was actually for, so we can make an informed decision - is he just stupid? ...or actually dangerous? Naturally, the one that's "within 1000 feet" of my residence falls into the latter category. *Sigh*
Total repeal of ALL firearms/weapons laws at the local, state and federal levels. Period. Wipe the slate clean.
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