Request for comment on allegations of cover-up of ATF scandal by Senator Sessions

"Shhh, we don't want to talk about that."

-----Original Message-----

From: georgemason1776@aol.com
To: sarah_haley@sessions.senate.gov
Cc: Michelle.Back@atf.gov; teresa.ficaretta@atf.gov; james.vann@atf.gov; dcodrea@hotmail.com; lensavag@bellsouth.net; ldpratt@gunowners.org; jpfo@bertramwireless.com; jpfo@jpfo.org; DaveW@liberty.seanet.com; Jeff@FirearmsCoalition.org; vernagates@aol.com

Sent: Fri, Oct 8, 2010 10:16 am

Subject: Request for comment on allegations of cover-up of ATF scandal by Senator Sessions

Ms. Haley,

Attached you will find a letter recently sent by a number of United States Senators regarding the Obama Administration's blocking of the re-importation of surplus military rifles from the Republic of South Korea. I note that Senator Sessions is not a signatory to this letter. As you are the Senator's press contact, and given than I have been an Internet writer and blogger for fifteen years, I would like to ask the Senator the following questions:

1. Is it not true that in the week before the canceled "ATF Reform" hearing, that both Rick Dearborn, the Senator's Chief of Staff, and his staffers on the Judiciary Committee were made aware, both by email and by phone, of a mid-level ATF supervisor who was willing to blow the whistle on a scandal involving this blocked sale?

2. Is this not the real reason that the hearing was canceled?

3. Is it not true that the Senator's office was made aware of the name and contact information of this courageous ATF employee who was willing to come clean on the entire sordid affair and his part in it?

4. Is it not true that the Senator's office not only has not acted on this information, but is pretending that it never happened?

5. Is there any reason, then, why the American public should not conclude that Jeff Sessions is covering up for wrongful, if not illegal, conduct on the part of the ATF?

6. Is this the reason that Senator Sessions did not sign on to the letter?

I look forward to your reply with great interest.

Mike Vanderboegh
The alleged leader of a merry band of Three Percenters
http:/sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com
GeorgeMason1776@aol.com

Text of the letter:

October 6, 2010

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Clinton:

We write today out of serious concern regarding recent reports indicating the State Department—in conjunction with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives—has arbitrarily chosen to ban the sale of surplus M1 Garand and M1 Carbine rifles from South Korea to qualified buyers in the United States. We strongly urge you to reverse this decision.

According to recent reports, although the Obama Administration had approved the sale of these vintage, American-made rifles last year, your Department chose to reverse the decision because the firearms “could potentially be exploited by individuals seeking firearms for illicit purposes.” A spokesman for your Department went on to say, “We are working closely with our Korean allies and the U.S. Army in exploring alternative options to dispose of these firearms.” This decision amounts to no more than a backdoor gun ban that lacks any basis or justification under current Federal law and policy. This decision violates law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right, protected under the Second Amendment, to purchase these firearms for legitimate purposes such as target shooting, hunting, collecting, and self-protection.

As you may know, the M1 is the rifle that helped our American troops claim victory in World War II. In Korea and Vietnam, our troops went into battle armed with this rifle that in the words of General George S. Patton, “is the greatest battle implement ever devised.” Today, the M1 is lawfully used by American citizens for recreational activities and is also a highly collectible firearm for those interested in American history.

Furthermore, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Guidebook on Firearms Importation, it is legal to import M1s because they are more than 50 years old and therefore qualify as “curios or relics.” Moreover, any individual wishing to purchase one of these firearms would be subject to the National Instant Check System. Essentially, the sale of these historic rifles—each a piece of America’s proud history—pose no greater risk than the sale of any other firearm legally sold in the United States.

To this end, we request an explanation of your reasons for blocking the importation and sale of American-made rifles from South Korea, and we strongly urge you to reverse your decision in the interest of protecting Americans’ Second Amendment rights. Furthermore, we encourage you to consider utilizing the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) as a means for the sale of these rifles. Currently, the principal rifles sold today through the CMP—a federally chartered non-profit organization dedicated to training and educating U.S. citizens in the responsible use of firearms—are World War II-era M1 Garand rifles.

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

John Cornyn, United States Senator
Mike Enzi, United States Senator
Tom Coburn, United States Senator
Jon Tester, United States Senator
Richard Burr, United States Senator
James Inhofe, United States Senator
Judd Gregg, United States Senator
Mike Crapo, United States Senator
John Barrasso, United States Senator
John Thune, United States Senator
Roger Wicker, United States Senator
Bob Bennett, United States Senator
Lisa Murkowski, United States Senator
Mark Begich, United States Senator
Jeanne Shaheen, United States Senator
Chuck Grassley, United States Senator

cc: Eric Holder, Attorney General
Kenneth Melson, BATFE Acting Director