This wasn't a "stunt" by the clowns in BATFE.
This was a malign conspiracy involving the highest levels of the DOJ and, perhaps, the White House to undermine our 2nd Amendment rights.
You're selling it way short. In this case, BATFE was simply the hired hands.
Which is why we have the whistle blowers. Those involved knew what they were doing was wrong. They had to stop it. Some one had to speak up before more people died and innocent American citizens were blamed for it.