Thursday, March 26, 2009

Here they go again.

TO: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
RE: Question for PIO on ATF "forward trace initiative" open letter

I am in receipt of this alleged open letter from the ATF to manufacturers regarding the ATF's "forward trace initiative." It has been sanitized of sender and recipient to protect from ATF retaliation the manufacturer who forwarded it. It seems to me that ATF is asking licensed manufactures to voluntarily turn over all of their records. [What they made, who they sold them to]. Congress has expressly forbade ATF from establishing national firearm registration, yet they seem to be attempting to do so in the name of "protecting the public".

Please confirm that this is an ATF document and explain what the "forward trace initiative" is supposed to do. Explain also how this does not build a nationwide data base of firearms which is contrary to federal law.

Mike Vanderboegh
PO Box 926
Pinson, AL 35126
GeorgeMason1776@aol.com




OPEN LETTER TO FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES REGARDING ATF’S FORWARD TRACE INITIATIVE

I would like to take this opportunity to describe the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) nationwide forward trace initiative. As you know, Federal law, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, requires Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) to maintain and make available certain records for inspection by ATF. Among those required records are the acquisition and disposition (A&D) book and ATF Forms 4473 for sales of firearms to individuals. Verifying this information is critical to our mission of protecting the public as it is the starting point for a FFL retailer accounting for firearms received. Through partnerships with and the continued cooperation of the firearms community, the forward trace initiative was implemented by ATF to ensure firearms are properly accounted for by FFL retailers.



The program focuses on types of firearms that are diverted by the criminal element from legal commerce. ATF Industry Operations Investigators (IOI’s) will visit manufacturers and ask for their assistance by identifying specific firearms makes and models and ask for the name of the distributor to whom they were sold. We then “follow the gun” to the eventual retailer. Any information requested by ATF IOIs as part of this program does not presume any wrongdoing by those firearms industry members contacted but simply will be used as a tool to ensure accountability for firearms received by FFL retailers. Cooperation by the industry with our forward trace requests is voluntary and not considered an ATF inspection under Federal law and regulations.

Industry members supplying any information are requested by ATF not to initiate any action as a result of our inquiry because it could potentially impact any ATF inspection or investigative effort. As always, if a manufacturer, importer or distributor has concerns regarding any retailer they should contact the nearest ATF office for assistance. Our continued open dialogue and partnership with the firearms industry makes for a safer America.

8 comments:

Moe Death said...

Don't worry about this, Mike. It's just part of one of those gun buyback schemes. You'll finally be able to trade your guns in for a ticket to a FEMA camp!

Toaster 802 said...

Congress has expressly forbade ATF from establishing national firearm registration, yet they seem to be attempting to do so in the name of "protecting the public".

Q: Since our politicians and gov'ment agencies refuse to obey the law, why should anyone?

A:Because they have prisons for us, and We the People lack gibbets for them.

Thanks! (sarcastic)

CorbinKale said...

The very purpose of the ATF is to infringe upon the Rights enshrined in the Constitution. According to the Oath I took, that makes them 'domestic enemies'.

Do ATF agents take an Oath? I will have to research that.

tom said...

Cooperation by the industry with our forward trace requests is voluntary and not considered an ATF inspection under Federal law and regulations.

Until they refuse to renew your manufacturer's license or find some made up grounds to revoke it...
Yeah, right! Can I buy the Brooklyn Bridge, too?

Neighbor S.O.T of a manufacturer nature is against it. I'm sure we shall see what not signing up for it does for his manufacturer and S.O.T. status.

Anonymous said...

And so it begins. It sounds to me an awful lot like the beginnings of a backdoor registration scheme for targeted firearms. They will eventually make this non-voluntary and begin to keep the lists they follow. There are those that believe we should give a little to prevent losing a lot. I couldn't disagree more. Now is the time to go on the offensive. Legislation to prevent this should be pursued. I wonder what licensee's that do not care to "volunteer'?

Dirigo

Anonymous said...

CorbinKale said,

"Do ATF agents take an Oath? I will have to research that."

No research needed.

Law abiding people take an oath to uphold the constitution, and in general, obey the law.

Criminals take an oath to...break the law.

When it comes to gun registration, it is already being done. ATF has been systematically copying the records of all FFL file cabinets.

Gun stores get a visit and the ATF take the files to make copies. That is registration of the person and firearm purchased.

This has been going on for years. The records they don't get are private sales. That is why they want to close the "gun show loophole".

Anonymous said...

"Q: Since our politicians and gov'ment agencies refuse to obey the law, why should anyone?

A:Because they have prisons for us, and We the People lack gibbets for them."

The people are not without power, but they lack the will for action.

Anonymous said...

Please, Please, Please.

Will ALL Constitutional Terrorist (er, I mean Patriots) read the book, "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross.

Firefights in the streets are NOT necessary to effect the change required by the US Constitution.

Thank you.