ATF ARREST 14 IN MULTISTATE OPERATION

www.atf.gov ^ | 05/25/2004 | ATF Press Release

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

ATF Agents Arrest 14 In Multistate Operation

RENO, Nev. -- John A. Torres, Special Agent In Charge of the San Francisco Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today that ATF agents in California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Washington State participated in the arrests of 14 people after a federal grand jury returned indictments charging them with federal firearms violations.

All of the defendants were charged with dealing firearms without a license, illegal sales of firearms, possession of unregistered firearms, and possession of firearms by prohibited persons. One of those arrested, Laquan J. Abdulrahim of East Palo Alto, Calif., was also charged with possession of body armor by a violent felon, the first time a defendant in Nevada has been charged with this federal violation. This charge alone carries a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.

Dubbed "Operation Over The Line," the year-long investigation into the illegal purchasing and trafficking of firearms ultimately led agents to individuals in three other states. During the course of the investigation, more than 400 firearms were seized with dozens more to be retrieved in the near future. ATF undercover agents purchased approximately 30-40 firearms from various individuals, including some that were illegal. The agents purchased firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) as well as unlicensed dealers.

"Although some of these transactions took place at various gunshows in Nevada, a minority group of people chose to use gunshows as a conduit to conduct their illegal activities," Torres said. "The gun shows were not the target of our investigation."

In addition to the arrest warrants, agents served a federal search warrant at the residence and business of Larry B. Reimer, of Pahrump, Nev. Reimer was arrested pursuant to the grand jury indictments. Reimer, a licensed firearms dealer, was charged with the illegal transfer of a semiautomatic weapon and the illegal sale of a firearm. These charges carry a maximum penalty of five years each in federal prison.

Among the items recovered at another search warrant location in Nevada were a number of firearms, including machine guns, as well as explosive materials.

Torres praised the Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff's Department, the Nevada Highway Patrol, California Highway Patrol, the West Sacramento Police Department and the California Department of Justice for assisting ATF in this investigation.

"ATF will continue to reduce illicit firearms trafficking by investigating individuals who provide firearms to prohibited persons, who deal without a license, and who sell firearms illegally. Working with our state and local partners toward this endeavor will keep firearms out of the hands of criminals," Torres said.

More information on ATF is available at www.atf.gov.

###

Note to Editors: Media seeking additional information should contact ATF PIO Nina Delgadillo at 775-784-5251 or via her pager, 888-533-8597.

[AdamSelene235]

Now it would appear at face value that the individual would be in direct violation of the previously quoted possession law. However, it is my understanding that the basis for federal laws to regulate fire arms derives from the commerce clause of the Constitution. If the individual who made the weapon did not sell, rent, lend, lease or transport the weapon across state lines, would the be any basis by which the feds could arrest this individual?

The courts have ruled that raising corn on you own land to feed to your own animals is "interstate commerce" and therefore can be controlled by the Federal Government.

You can try to fight this in court but you will be denied cert after you are financially bled to death.

In reality, there are no limits on government power.

[Son_of_Liberty789]

How does it feel now Kurt? i remember when i was in trouble with the ATF, and was seeking help from you, I recieved absolutely NO help at all. You blew me off to save your precious buisness and your name, well what goes around comes around!
Now you know the hell i went through with no help, and no money. Hope you have fun and enjoy it all as i did for 3 years.

[Son_of_Liberty789]

Just so people know. Kurt Wilson is lying about his statement above: April 23rd (8:30 PM), while we were at the Reno Gun Show (show was closed at that time - we were in the Hotel), the ATF preformed a Search Warrant on our tables at both the show and our business premises in Coeur d'Alene. They confiscated over $150,000 of firearms from both the locations, and all our paperwork from our store.
The only weapons that were seized from him were a UNregistered machine gun, a AR-15 and a shortened shotgun. The following article below is from the Couer d alene newspaper: Gun shop owners released pending Idaho trial in July by Dave Turner Staff Writer
Coeur d Alene Press

The owners of a Post Falls gun shop were arrested by agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives early Friday on federal firearms charges.
Kurt Wilson, 52, and Angie Wilson, 53, owners of Survival Enterprises, 4368 W. Seltice, were released on their personal recognizance after making a first appearance later Friday morning. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mikel Williams, appearing from Boise via video, set trail for July 13 in Cda.
The Wilsons were two of 14 suspects arrested in a five state sweep.
All of the defendants were charged with dealing firearms without a license, illegal sales of firearms, possession of unregistered firearms and possession fo firearms by prohibited persons'"said the ATF in a press release.
A call to the store transferred to voice mail Friday afternoon and a message seeking comment was not returned.
The Wilsons were charged with three counts in Idaho and eight in Nevada. No date was set for their trial there.
In Idaho, the Wilsons are charged with possession of unregistered firearms -- an AR-15, a shortened 12-gauge shotgun and a machine gun.
Angie's Wilson "had a license to possess all of those"' said Idaho Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Cook. "If they were registered, it wouldn't' have been illegal for them to have them."
Each of the counts carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
After they were photographed and fingerprinted by U.S. Marshals, the couple were allowed to leave.
Cook said normally, those under felony indictment are barred from possession of firearms.
"We requested the court to waive that requirement so the could dispose of the inventory of fireman's and ammunition." Cook said.
Nevada prosecutors charged the Wilsons with eight counts of of firearm violations, most stemming from their attendance at the Big Reno gun Show in August 2003.
The Wilsons were indicted on four counts of unlawful dealing at an out-of-state gun show; three counts of unlawful selling of a firearms to an out-of-state resident, which carries a maximum five years each, and one count of possession of a machine gun.
The ATF said the Wilsons were caught as part of "Operation Over the Line".
Federal agents were working undercover at gun shows in Nevada the past year. Other arrests were made in Nevada, California, Utah, and Washington.
Nine of the suspects were arrested after search warrants were served Friday. Five others were already in custody as part of the investigation, said Daniel Bogden, U.S. attorney for Nevada.
"Undercover ATF agents purchased nearly 40 firearms using different Reno gun shows as the hub of activity," said John Torres, ATF special agent in charge of the San Francisco office.
"We also seized explosive at one residence in Reno today," including 10 blasting caps and 20 feet of detonating cord, he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[steplock]

I confess to ignorance of the facts (the story was sent to me by a friend) but some points you bring out are interesting.....


After they were photographed and fingerprinted by U.S. Marshals, the couple were allowed to leave.
Cook said normally, those under felony indictment are barred from possession of firearms.
"We requested the court to waive that requirement so the could dispose of the inventory of fireman's and ammunition." Cook said.
Nevada prosecutors charged the Wilsons with eight counts of of firearm violations, most stemming from their attendance at the Big Reno gun Show in August 2003.
The Wilsons were indicted on four counts of unlawful dealing at an out-of-state gun show; three counts of unlawful selling of a firearms to an out-of-state resident, which carries a maximum five years each, and one count of possession of a machine gun.


The above lines show that the govt / ATF are getting more civilized about their tactics. NOT that I agree with the laws concerning what I have in my personal possession on my property (it is MY right!)

The govt does have some responsibility, through our representative republic and laws to regulate the interstate sales - in this case, an out-of-state dealer selling to in-state and out-of-state customers. The State of Nevada can prosecute the "no/improper liscence" for dealing during the trade show (none of the fed govt concern that particular charge). We just have to reign in the federal incursions into the states' lawful realm.

[oddball]

How does it feel now Kurt? i remember when i was in trouble with the ATF, and was seeking help from you, I recieved absolutely NO help at all.

(No man who has ever asked for help from me has been refused. You are a liar.)

You blew me off to save your precious buisness and your name, well what goes around comes around!
Now you know the hell i went through with no help, and no money. Hope you have fun and enjoy it all as i did for 3 years.

(You sound like a typical vindictive, bitter criminal who is upset solely because he was caught. Are you mad because you couldn't pull me down with you?

If you have a legitimate complaint, then, like a man should, bring it to me in private.)

[oddball]

Apparently, Son_of_liberty789 simply has a grudge against me. Maybe I refused to buy a stolen firearm from him, or I refused to teach him how to make an illegal silencer, or I refused to participate in his criminal activity, or he just doesn't like the high level of ethics I use in the conduct of my business.

And I could care less.

He has acted (in his last two posts) both cowardly and petty. This "person" contends I lied, then quotes the CDA Press as to what was taken. Allow me to explain something to you: the BATFE works simply. They steal EVERYTHING from you, then you have to proove that you actually OWN the stuff they stole!

They took every firearm in my store, except about 15 that were in the back un-assembled. In Reno, they also stole everything I had on my tables. (If any of you remember my setup there - I had over $100K of collectables on the tables. A 1898 Krag in 100% cond, valued at about $2800 was but one item).

I would warn all within this forum. Do not believe attacks from one to another without YOU YOURSELF finding out the truth.

As an aside: there have been two KNOWN "instigators" in the Coeur d'Alene area, working for the FBI. These two scumballs were busted on explosives charges and now work for the Feds passing lies to people associated with firearms (gun shop owners, gun shop customers, etc) with the intent to keep everyone pissed off at each other, and this instigator sound like one of them.

Soon I will be placing ALL the data on both the Reno and the CDA incidents.

[Son_of_Liberty789]

Well either way you put it, who is the criminal here? You don't see me going to court in july for selling out of state weapons, and i sure did'nt have a unregistered machine gun and a sawed off shotgun!
So you have a high level of ethics huh? then why is it your in trouble then? The BATFE just picking on you? No your the criminal and now your venting onto me. I never went to jail and i have paid up my debt to society. Now you have to do the same because you BROKE the law and your no different than the people your talking about. Plus you yourself have talked plenty in your store about illegal modifications to weapons, jezz man you sell all the books on explosives and full auto conversion what the heck are you talkin about here, you can't play innocent now your in the same barrel with us other "criminals".

[looscnnn]

Here is the latest on the Wilsons

In accordance with the United States Federal Government's goal to eradicate
firearms sales by reducing the number of licensed Federal firearm dealers*,
Survival Enterprises has been setup by agents of the Federal Government
and we are now under indictment and awaiting trial.

---

Please read the summary by Kurt Wilson Here

Events of the night of April 23rd here.

What transpired from April 26th thru May 20th

What happened the morning of May 21st

What happened at the Reno Arraignment on June 1

Current Idaho Attorney replaced.

Read a copy of the article the CDA Press newspaper posted on May 22nd

Read the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(BATFE, formerly known as the ATF) release here.

This page will be updated as events transpire.

We, my wife and myself, need your help:

1) If any of you can, please write a brief "Character Reference" on either my wife (Angie) or myself (Kurt) We need all the good references we can get to counter the Feds claim that we are bad guys! You can either email them to me (kurt@se1.us) or mail them to us at the P.O. Box below.

2) If any of you know a lawyer who specializes in this sort of thing, and who will work for free, please let us know. (We're almost broke.)

3) We now have a "legal defense fund" you may donate to. You may mail a donation (check, money order or cashier's check - made out to "Kurt & Angie Wilson Legal Defense Fund") to:

Kurt & Angie Wilson Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 1595
Post falls, Idaho 83877-1595

You may make a Paypal donation to: paypal@survival-enterprises.com

You can also call us at 800 753-1981 and donate to this fund using your credit card.

4) Tell everyone you can think of (Senator, Congressman, Governor, news folk, newsgroups, chat forums, etc). The more that know of our plight, the better chance we have of not being "swept under the rug" (or carted off to jail) by the Government.

If you are a competant and knowledgable legal authority, I will gladly forward you all pertinant data necessary to defend us. Please contact me ASAP.

* 1999 - 175,000 Federally licensed firearms dealers * * 2004 - 10,350 Federally licensed firearms dealers *

Back to Survival Enterprises main page

WARNING about Gun Shows

[looscnnn]

Update...

What happened the morning of May 21 2004 - (Ambush)
What happened the Beginning of June - (Reno Arraignment)
What's happening Now

The latest.

[oddball]

MY PERSONAL SUMMARY

Survival Enterprises has been in business for over 20 years. In the beginning (until about 5 years ago) our main thrust was the firearms aspect. We were known all over the world for our quality refinishing on collectable military rifles and handguns, and sales of these collectable firearms.

As importation of many of these collectable firearms were stopped in the 1990's, we could see the "end of the road" for us. Sales dropped off and so did our refinishing jobs. We started to put our attention elsewhere.

As I have done much in the way of research into "alternative health" products (at first, for my own benefit, then much more intensively for retail sales), we decided to branch out into a small line of alternative health and personal care products.

These health products now make up nearly 75% of our gross income, and the firearm sales were just dying off. We intended to make this Reno Gun Show our "swan song" and it would have been the last of the gun shows for us.

And now, I guess it is.

Unfortunately, all the firearms that were taken by the BATFE were going to be our retirement and further funding for our health business. Apparently, this is the manner in which our government "punishes" those who (they feel) make mistakes, or those of us that dare to speak out about the rampart corruption in our government.

I have been doing business as a Class 1 Gunsmith/Firearms Dealer for nearly 15 years. During this time I have requested that the ATF send out a Compliance Officer 4 different times. Their response was "we have no funding for training, just enforcement".

In English: we would rather you make mistakes, so we can bust you, as that's why we're here.

In my first meeting with the BATFE (after the episode in Reno), I was told that they "had their eye on me" since the Portland gun show in 1998.

SO WHY THE HELL DIDN'T THEY TELL ME THEN I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG SO I COULD CORRECT IT??

I have been conducting my business the same way since I started. Somewhere, along the line, my actions became "criminal". I didn't change my operating basis, the ATF and the Federal Government changed theirs.

I have, as thousands of firearms dealers have before me, dealt with customers in an honorable, ethical and respectable manner. I will not sell to someone I feel is criminal, drunk or too foolish to own a firearm. I have never sold an "illegal" firearm to any one (unless, of course, the definition of "illegal firearm" has changed as well).

If this had been the EPA instead of the ATF, you can bet they'd be crawling all over me with fines, and a demand that I get my paperwork in order and to conduct my business better.

But the BATFE isn't here to "help" us firearms dealers to better conform to their regulations. They exist solely to crush existing firearm dealers out of existence, and so destroy us that no one else would even dare to become a firearm dealer.

* 1999 - 175,000 Federally licensed firearms dealers *
* 2004 - 10,350 Federally licensed firearms dealers *


Why Did The BATFE Do This Now And
Why Did They Publicize This So Much?

When Prohibition was repealed in 1934, the Federal Government had to look elsewhere for a source of operating funds. A new "taxing" scheme was immediately drawn up - the National Firearms Act of 1934.

This was (and still is) a direct violation of the 2nd Amendment.

Now, with the "Assault Weapon Ban" going to die in Sept of this year (2004) the Feds need another source of funds. They have dreamed up a new buzz word: "gun show loop hole".

Some of you are saying "but we got George in the White House!" He's doing exactly what Klinton was doing before him - getting guns out of Americans hands. In fact, President Bush had the ATF moved from the Dept of the Treasury to the Justice Dept, so they could be under "Homeland Security" and receive millions of taxpayer dollars.

We have lost more Constitutional rights under him than any president since 1865, and he isn't done yet! The BATFE has had millions of dollars extra given them for just one reason - to crush us into such a shivering mass of fear that we wouldn't dare buy or sell a gun.

Of course, they brush this charge off by saying "you were doing something illegal, so your complaints don't count".

Many of you (sad to say) will believe that "he MUST be a bad guy, or the BATFE wouldn't have indicted him in two states!" Many of you same people also said "those Davidians must be doing something bad to be burned alive! Our Government knows what it's doing!"

I want you to read the following link: http://www.constitution.org/mil/rkba1982.htm The important part is at the bottom, titled "ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL FIREARMS LAWS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT" then tell me that the Feds are "here to help"!

As I said - the new "battle cry" of the Feds (and the Democrats) will be the "gun show loop hole". This is an election year, and President Bush's own minions will use this ruse to bring him down.

After (and during) my arraignment in Reno, I talked with a few of the "dangerous 14" ( see the ATF's website - http://www.atf.gov/press/fy04press/field/052104sf_multistate.htm ) and we all realized that most of the ATF's cases were totally setup and orchestrated by the Feds. Most of the (so called) "violations" that these agents are crowing about were committed out of ignorance, with no intent to commit any crime!

I can't write any more right now. I'm ashamed at what our government has sunk to; I'm emotionally drained at having to explain to my family and friends about this, and then watching them suffer as well; I'm astonished at the gall of agents of our government and how easy it is for them to willingly destroy a fellow citizen, for mere paperwork blunders!

But I want to leave you all with the following warnings:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
has decided that it is illegal for ANYONE (dealer or private citizen)to cross state lines to either buy or sell a firearm at a gun show!
(even though this has been tradition for over 75 years!)

In other words, ALL gun shows have been infiltrated by agents of our loving government and WILL set you up if you buy or sell a firearm, and you live in any state but the one the gunshow is in. This is NOT guess work on my part.

I have seen lists of gunshows that have either undercover agents or CI's (Confidential Informants) running around in them. They buy guns from various people, and then just keep track of you 'till they want you.

No matter how paranoid you are, it ain't enough!

If you want a truthful education on why gun control is used by governments, go to http://www.jpfo.org/ (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership)

More will be added as this whole thing transpires.

Want the truth on the BATF? Go to http://www.atfabuse.com


Back to Survival Enterprises legal page at http://www.survival.com.mx/legal.html

[looscnnn]

I have visited JFPO many times, I hope to join up as soon as my finances settle back down (A/C died last month, then the termostat died on the van which caused the tranny to die & had to be rebuilt). It is sad what is happening to you, I hope that everything works out for you. Have you setup a defense fund? Please don't think that all Freepers are like the few that have attacked you, etc.

[oddball]

Well, seeing as how the Feds were nice enough to give us 3 Federal Public Defenders, I no longer need the Legal Defense Fund which we did have set up.

Instead, I now have a "Legal Attack Fund" with which I hope to raise enough to fight to get my $100,000 worth of guns back from the thugs in Nevada and the crooks in Coeur d'Alene.

I've actually met with three of the other people indicted in Nevada. Apparently, the scum of the Earth (ATF agents) have nothing better to do than setup aged 60+ white men and steal all they can get! The Feds ONLY setup white men at the Reno show. No Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, etc. (They did get one older white woman, but we think her case is getting thrown out).

Apparently, the ATF is NOT an equal opportunity destroyer.

I had 16 calls and emails from others who said the same thing. I have a Samoan friend who the ATF set up in the same sting. He was popped Saturday, but had his guns returned in a few hours with no explanation other than "go home". Instead, he came back to the show Sunday and shadowed some of the ATF agents. These agents ONLY went up to tables ran by white guys.

I'm not racist, just making a factual statement here. I asked my lawyer why and he said that "proportionatly, older white men have more $$$ and "stuff" the Feds can steal, so they put the most attention on nailing these older white guys."

Don't I feel special.

[looscnnn]

On your FFL, do they ask what race you are? The reason I ask is that what if you appeared to be white and were really hispanic or black (mixed), it would be interesting to see if they popped someone that appeared to be white and turned out to be hispanic. Would they return everything and drop the case? If so, there would be a case for discrimination.

[No Surrender No Retreat]

Yes somewhat, it's the superviisors trying to generate cases to keep their cushy well paid postions in existence. I spoke with one agent, who said that NRA members are fanatics. I informed him, I am a NRA Lifetime Member, to which he dropped his head in shame and walked away. There are some good agents in the agency, but many of the supervisors are incompetent. Some of my friends that were in the military took an early out to hire on with ATF. To there dismay they found ex-military peronnel are loathed by the klintoonisque crowd still sucking on the tit in ATF.
Waco my friend, was a tragedy for both the followers in the camp and the agents' who lost their lives. This is what happens when incompetent people are in charge. This incident should have never occurred. Klintoon, Butch Reno, Shrillary, and personnel from the FBI/ATF and US military should have been prosecuted for cover-ups, false reports, and creating a situation that could have been resolved with out loss of life and property. Some higher ups lied and good people died. May all those who lost their lives that day rest in heaven for now and forever. Even death does not separate us from our loved ones. So Mote It Be!!