Tuesday, I received an interesting email from the Second Amendment Foundation. It seems that the BATFE has finally been convinced of the need to investigate the illegal straw purchases made under Mayor Bloomberg's orders. Click here for the BATFE's letter (pdf format).
This is encouraging to see. I know I'm pretty rough on the BATFE on this blog, and that's not likely to change, but I certainly would applaud a decision on their part to not allow Bloomberg's wealth and power to insulate him from the same treatment under the law that any other citizen would receive.
That's not the only good news about the "sting." The federal government has announced that no criminal charges will be filed against the out of state gun dealers targeted by Bloomberg.
According to a letter sent to City Hall, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and various U.S. attorneys' offices have determined the city's findings against the 15 dealers "do not rise to a level that would support a criminal prosecution."Not one to allow little things like . . . laws (which he apparently thinks only apply to lesser mortals) stand in the way, Bloomberg is apparently anything but contrite.
The letter - sent Tuesday by Michael Battle, director of the executive office for United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice - also scolded City Hall for engaging in sting operations involving persons "without proper law enforcement authority," saying that could put the city in legal jeopardy. Battle added that City Hall could "unintentionally interrupt or jeopardize" criminal probes.
Asked if the Bloomberg administration plans to stop conducting the sting operations, Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler said, "Not necessarily."What do you mean "hasn't violated any laws"? They've announced to the world that they conspired to commit straw purchases (you know--the very law that they claim isn't enforced enough)--how can that not constitute the breaking of laws?
"The city hasn't violated any laws," Skyler said defiantly, adding that the city will continue to pursue its civil lawsuits against the gun dealers.
Could the "stinger" become the "stingee"?
Stumble it!
2 comments:
This is not something to applaud.
Bloomberg broke the law. He gets a letter to desist? What the Hell is that?
What that is, is not enforcement of the laws that would end in the incarceration of you or me, but rather a warning that he is on their turf. They reserve the right to abuse citizens on their turf and Bloomberg faces no consequences if he backs off now, after committing felonies in at least 15 instances.
No, I don't see this as a victory for the law. Just a gang war warning.
I can't dispute that, but if it forces him to back off, I have to consider that about the best outcome we could expect.
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