ATF loses track of 1,400 guns in criticized probe

CNN ^ | 7/12/11 | Todd Schwarzschild and Drew Griffin,

[Nachum]

(CNN) -- Federal agents can't account for more than 1,400 guns after a widely criticized operation aimed at tracing the flow of weapons to Mexican drug gangs, sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CNN.

Of 2,020 guns involved in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives probe dubbed "Operation Fast and Furious," 363 have been recovered in the United States and 227 have been recovered in Mexico. That leaves 1,430 guns unaccounted for, the sources said.

The ATF operation was intended to build cases against Mexican drug cartels by allowing firearms to go from the United States into Mexico. The hope was by tracing the guns in Mexico, agents would be able to determine the structure of various cartels and then bring them down.

[reagandemocrat]

Just thinking out loud here—Let’s reflect:

January 2009, Obama is named “Gun Salesman of the Year”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2165726/posts

Angry and petulant, Obama responds in March 2009, new ATF Director Melson is appointed and Project Gunnrunner “evolves” into Fast & Furious; and Drug cartels, not Americans, get firearms from the U.S. government.

In spite.

[dragnet2]

Could you remove me from your ping list.

Thanks!

[Colonel_Flagg]

The hope was by tracing the guns in Mexico, agents would be able to determine the structure of various cartels carelessly flaunting the law and abusing its power, the Obama Administration could launch an indirect assault on Second Amendment rights and then bring them down.

Accuracy correction.

[Texas resident]

Someone at cnn is about to lose their job.
Not playing by the rules here.

must cover for the one.