Posted on 03/19/2007 1:59:58 PM PDT by neverdem
Almost from the outset, something smelled rotten about a “sting” mounted last year by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an effort to target alleged rogue gun shops in five different states for selling guns illegally.
Bloomberg dispatched private investigators to conduct this vigilante operation, apparently neglecting to advise the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) what they were up to. These “investigators” had no law enforcement authority to engage in what may have been illegal “straw man” purchases to entrap some 15 different dealers.
The odor ripened when Bloomberg filed civil lawsuits against these gun shops, rather than turn over evidence to the proper authorities for criminal prosecution. Bloomberg’s office refused to turn over that evidence, and instead the billionaire mayor launched a high-profile media campaign demonizing the targeted gun shop operators.
When he announced the sting, and associated lawsuits, he took a cheap shot at ATF, declaring the agency asleep at the wheel.
And then Bloomberg, with the partnership of another anti-gun municipal politician, Boston Mayor Tom Menino, launched Mayors Against Illegal Guns. This coalition’s purpose was purportedly to campaign for laws that crack down on gun shops selling guns that found their way into criminal hands.
But now it turns out there is more than one fly in the ointment. Flies are attracted by foul odors. The anti-gun Joyce Foundation provided $175,000 to Bloomberg’s group. And recently, Anchorage, Alaska Mayor Mark Begich, Rio Rancho, New Mexico Mayor Kevin Jackson and Idaho Falls, Idaho Mayor Jared Fuhriman have bailed out. All essentially explained that – surprise of surprises – there is more to the coalition agenda than they had initially understood.
Begich, Jackson and Fuhriman wisely turned their backs on what amounts to a political lynch mob, out more for headline-grabbing junk lawsuits and legislation targeting everything from gun shows to types of firearms law-abiding citizens may own, claiming that eroding the rights of good people will somehow prevent crimes committed by bad people.
And now the Justice Department has essentially cooled Bloomberg’s jets. W. Larry Ford, ATF Director for Public and Governmental Affairs, revealed that the agency is investigating Bloomberg’s rogue sting operation “in order to determine if violations of federal firearms laws occurred.” Just days later, Michael Battle, director of the executive office for United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice, sent a letter warning Bloomberg’s administration that it could face “potential legal liabilities” if such sting operations continue. Battle also said the Justice Department will not be filing criminal charges against any of the 15 gun dealers targeted by Bloomberg’s 2006 lawsuits over alleged “straw man” purchases. Such operations lack “proper law enforcement authority,” Battle’s letter warned.
Though criminal charges may never be filed against Bloomberg or his agents provocateur in the gun shop sting, two shots have been fired across Bloomberg’s bow, and he really ought to lower his sails. Likewise, so should the more than 150 other mayors who were beguiled by headlines to join Bloomberg’s anti-gun crusade.
Going after suspected illegal gun dealers, especially outside of one’s jurisdiction, is not a job for mayors or private investigators they hire. That’s a job for the ATF and federal prosecutors. Bloomberg now stands cautioned that his antics are under scrutiny. Other mayors, lulled into joining with Bloomberg, might take this as a signal they need to reconsider that affiliation.
In politics, opportunities to change course and do something smart come along rarely, but opportunities to do something stupid come knocking every day. Bloomberg, and his contemporaries, have been handed a chance to wise up. Let’s see if they are smart enough to take the hint.
Alan Gottlieb is founder of the Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) and chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (www.ccrkba.org).
Bloomberg and his cronies need to be prosecuted for this. Anyone who contributed to it, or hopped on the bandwagon, should be considered an accessory. I would personally like to see Bloomberg spend the rest of his life in prison whimpering that his money and his nanny state couldn't buy his way out of this one.
One thing they forgot in the article is that bumberg is a republican, what a disgrace and he has a 70 pct approval rating even worse
One thing they forgot in the article is that bumberg is a republican, what a disgrace and he has a 70 pct approval rating even worse
I for one think its time for gun owners to bring a class action lawsuit against these groups for conspiracy to violate their civil rights.There is certainly enough evidence by the comments by sarah brady,rudy, the VPC, etc in the form of memo's and public statements to support this why not a class action lawsuit by 50,000+ gun owners? where is the NRA and GOA on this?
Bloominidiot is a life long liberal democrat who only changed to "R" because the NYC dem machine wouldn't let him buy his way through the primary. Changing to "R" was the only way he could buy his way into the Mayor's office.
This is the sort of mentality necessary for a "Republican" to become Mayor of New York.
W. Larry Ford, ATF Director for Public and Governmental Affairs, revealed that the agency is investigating Bloomberg’s rogue sting operation “in order to determine if violations of federal firearms laws occurred.”
Of course, if they didn't there isn't much point to the investigation, and if they did, the perps should be in jail. That would be the people committing the crimes, the straw purchasers. I won't be holding my breath.
He was a lifelong liberal dem before he bought the GOP nomination. He ran against dems who were worse, but I couldn't vote for him when he wants to deny a right to self defense. I have to be able to live with myself.
So a Bloomberg investigator illegally buys a gun, then expects the law to act?
Reminds me of an episode of 'Cops'.
A woman calls the cops, who arrive. She shows them some cocaine she had just purchased and pointed out the house where she made the buy.
What did the cops do? Arrested her for possession.
Yep . Bloomberg funded a criminal conspiracy to willfully break the law and get others to do it as well . I guess the law doesn't apply to Bloomberg .
When in NY, do as the NY mayors do. Take away everybody's guns.
Just following in Gulliani's footsteps I mean goosesteps.
>I have to be able to live with myself.<
Minor things like that aren't a consideration with Gulliani's Gobblers on FR.
Does anyone have a list of who those mayors are? I'd sure like to talk to them!
Bloomberg can't keep his own people disciplined and wants to blame it all on someone else.
The conflicts of interests are ripe with corruption, because his gangs could be doing the killings... it is only a small extention to see it that way.
It also is fashionable of late to run overpriced and bankrupted cities by taxing citizens of other states and cities. The crap sticks with crap in NYC apparently.
In 2003 The Brookings Institute did a "study" named The Metro Series 2003.
The "study" came out anti-gun.
The study was funded by The Smith Foundation, The Joyce Foundation and two other groups.
From the NRA: "The Joyce Foundation is one of the leading sources of funding for anti-gun groups and individuals.
Anti-gun academics receive grants to complete studies that invariably find a link between gun ownership and crime."
From the nonpartisan Political Money Line: "the Joyce Foundation and George Soros' Open Society Institute fund some of the same liberal causes".
Bloomberg in bed with at least one anti-gun foundation! .
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