November 13, 2009 in City

ATF says E. Washington source of Mexico guns

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YAKIMA, Wash. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says Washington is the No. 4 source of illegal guns in Mexico.

Agent Steve Foreman told a forum Thursday in Yakima that gun shows in Eastern Washington are the main problem because unlicensed dealers avoid making background checks on the buyers.

Foreman said the investigation into one drug cartel shootout in Tijuana traced 15 pistols and rifles back to the Tri-Cities.

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports representatives from 27 cities attended the forum at the Yakima Convention Center.

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Five comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  nutz4utwo on November 13 at 6:03 p.m.

  The logic stated in the article does not quite work out.

  If the main problem is the non-recorded sales of firearms, how can the ATF trace illegal un-recorded firearms back to Eastern Washington? Can they be sure the crime that was committed happened here or do they just use some vodoo investigation techniques?

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• 

  William Mahaney on November 13 at 8:51 p.m.

  Such “unlicensed dealers” should not be permitted to sell any firearms. If they are doing so illegally, they should be prosecuted. If an individual wants to sell a personal firearm, require the person sell it to a licensed dealer who will/must then do the required background checks. Such an arrangement does not violate the Second Amendment, because it would still uphold the principle that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be abridged.” (Yes, I have firearms, and a permit to carry, and I greatly respect and support the Second Amendment.)

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• 

  corsair410 on November 13 at 8:57 p.m.

  I'm still trying to find out what gun shows these “straw buyers” are buying military hardware. Not “military style” like they claim; but actual military only weapons. I've seen the footage, and I've seen grenade launchers, SMGs, light and heavy machine guns, fragmentation grenades, smoke grenades and incendiary grenades. And what gun shows does one get Composite-4 and RDX? I've never seen any of that at a gun show! As 'nutz' stated, what voodoo investigating are they useing to trace these so-called “unrecorded” sales?

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• 

  nutz4utwo on November 13 at 10:51 p.m.

  Will,

  Remember the Federal gov't can only regulate interstate commerce. Private party firearm sales within a single state can only be regulated by state gov't. ATF has no authority over the matter.

  see: US Constitution:

  Article I, Section 8, Clause 3:
  “[The Congress shall have power] To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes”

  and

  Bill of Rights 10th amendment:
  “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

  Having a FFL handle every transfer cost $. It is not a lot of money, but money is money.

  Besides people who commit robbery, rape, and murder don't care about firearms transfer laws. They will get their gun one way or another.

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• 

  Bob_Knows on November 14 at 7:36 p.m.

  The BATF is a criminal organization that operates in open violation of the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution. They should be caught and hung.

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