the future of gun shows

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - the future of gun shows

Posted: 8/19/2005 2:26:23 AM EDT

Got this in my inbox this morning.

As posted on Packing.org from VCDL (http://www.vcdl.org) president Philip
Van Cleave:

BATFE sinks to new low in Richmond
I purposely put this under "All United States" because what BATFE did here
in Richmond, VA was supposedly a model for what might be coming to the
rest of the states. I hope it is now quashed, but I suggest that gun
organizations across the country have their eyes open for this abuse in
their own state:

For VCDL's VA-ALERT today:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE), who seem
to go out of their way to alienate gun owners with their heavy-handedness,
behaved in a shameful manner this last weekend at the Showmasters' gun
show in Richmond.

I had reports from members of police going to their houses while the
member was waiting for their approval to purchase a gun at the show! The
police asked the spouse and other family members questions about the
purchases and filled in a survey! "Did you know your husband was going to
a gun show today?" "Did you know your husband was going to buy a gun
today?" and many other such questions.

If no one was home at the gun purchaser's house, the police went to the
neighbors! "Did you know that your neighbor was buying a gun today? How do
you feel about him doing so?"

One member, who was carrying a personal gun to sell, was approached by
BATFE and taken to a car while they checked him out. The officer said in
front of Showmasters' management, "Did you know you need a business
license to sell a gun at this show? I have seen you at a lot of shows -
are you in the business of selling guns? I think you are." That's called a
fishing expedition and intimidation. In the end they let the VCDL member
go because their fish hooks came up empty.

They had over 17 BATFE agents at that show. Richmond and Henrico had a
large number of officers running to the homes of anyone purchasing a
handgun to ask questions.

I guess Mayor Wilder is flush with cash all of a sudden. Too bad he didn't
use that money to put all those cops into the rougher neighborhoods of
Richmond, instead of harassing the decent citizens who buy guns at a gun
show.

And, if you are sitting down, the main BATFE agent at the show told
Showmasters' management that Richmond was going to be the model for this
kind of behavior across the nation!!!

BUT, THERE IS GOOD NEWS.

Steve Elliott, who heads up C&E Gun Shows and is affiliated with
Showmasters, along with Annette Gelles, who heads up Showmasters, went to
Washington with some lawyers to get this straightened out on Monday. (BTW,
Steve told me that he has spent in excess of $10,000 this year on legal
fees fighting this kind of abuse.)

Steve and Annette were told by the BATFE in DC that BATFE would no longer
be sending officers to people's houses who were purchasing a firearm and
that what happened in Richmond should not have happened.

We will be watching carefully to see if BATFE keeps its word or not.
Report any such abuse immediately to VCDL, along with the officer's name,
badge number, and department.

Philip Van Cleave, President, VCDL

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Posted: 8/19/2005 3:04:45 AM EDT

[#1]

Wow, I don't know what to say about this. I would have been pretty freaked out if I was selected for the back seat treatment. I hope batfe gets counseled on this type of action.

Posted: 8/20/2005 7:50:40 PM EDT

[#2]

neighbors to one side of me knows I have guns, big deal. Neighbors to the other side are ROP'rs. The scare tactic might be useful

Posted: 8/21/2005 2:48:24 AM EDT

[#3]

There have been undercover types in Charlotte trying to buy pistols without permits for a while now. I had a couple try to buy my .357 yesterday. But they are only local police. I've never witnessed anything like you mentioned with feds harrassing people. I would hope it's more hype than truth.

Posted: 8/21/2005 7:32:49 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
neighbors to one side of me knows I have guns, big deal. Neighbors to the other side are ROP'rs. The scare tactic might be useful

I can always depend on someone from ARFCOM to bring out the lighter side of things

Posted: 8/22/2005 8:18:17 AM EDT

[#5]

Wow, I lived on NOVA before moving here and have been to the awesome Richmond show several times. I will take heed of this post.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - the future of gun shows

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