Thoreau
Regular Member
imported post
I'll take the Firearms, but you can have the alcohol and tobacco.
"Already a couple of the faithful have sent in checks for a foundation memorial to the innocents who perished at the hands of the ninja at Waco ... I have been criticized by referring to our federal masked men as 'ninja' ... Let us reflect upon the fact that a man who covers his face shows reason to be ashamed of what he is doing. A man who takes it upon himself to shed blood while concealing his identity is a revolting perversion of the warrior ethic. It has long been my conviction that a masked man with a gun is a target. I see no reason to change that view."
---Jeff cooper
Actually I thinkSen. "Sheets" Byrd had something to do with the FBI offices you mentioned being there.Dreamer wrote:Or it could have something to do with their headquarters being in DC.I'll just say this. BATFE chose to put their national Ballistics Lab and their Research Lab in Rockville Maryland (where they also house their "gun fingerprint" database) and their Arson Research Center is in Beltsville MD.
http://www.saf.org/USAtoday102799.html
Of all the places in the country they could put these labs, they chose Maryland. I think that says volumes as to how the "higher ups" at BATFE feel about firearms ownership for law-abiding citizens.
'nuf sed...
For your theory to hold water, they would not have put their National Tracing Center (NTC), and their "Brady Branch" (the people who do the NCIS check) in West Virginia where Open Carry is lawful (except for some grandfathered cities) and is a state which proudly wears a consistent "F" rating from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and has some of the more permissive gun ownership and transfer laws in the nation. No NICS check for any private firearm transfer, rifle or pistol.
I find it quite ironic that the NTC is located here.
For the OP:
1) For the most part, at least the ATF people I've met/shot with are there just to aid in the enforcement of the laws that OUR representatives enacted. In fact I bought my Ruger 10/22 from a GS-13.
2) Kenneth Melson, is the Director, and from what I can remember from watching the Brad Bunch when I was a youngster, he is not from the Brady Bunch.
3) I know of 3 ATF people who regularly carry, sometimes open, sometimes concealed, sometimes "casual". From my talks with them, they really don't care one way or the other.
Having said that, I do believe the very existence of the ATF and its mission(s) is a direct infringement on our Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms and the bureau should be eliminated, completely. Including the TFE parts.
What I dislike is the continual bashing of an agency, that by an indifferent populace, has been allowed to exist and the broad brush technique used to paint all ATF (and in a larger sense all .gov) employees based on the actions of a few.
Kind of like when the anti's trot out a school shooting and try to paint all gun owners with the same brush.
A pretty extreme opinion, if I do say so myself. My grandfather is retired from the ATF and U.S. Marine Corps and is one of the most noble, patriotic men I know, who supports each and every law abiding citizen's right to own, possess and carry a firearm.The BATFE is a tax enforcement agency.... so everyone they kill... they kill for a tax violation....
The BATFE is a very unconstitutional agency... but they are very powerful and unless we the people speak up and force the disbanding of said agency... they will continue murdering victims for tax violations.
Every BATFE agent in this country should be tried for murder or aiding and abetting a murderer.
I refer to them as JACK BOOTED THUGS
"Already a couple of the faithful have sent in checks for a foundation memorial to the innocents who perished at the hands of the ninja at Waco ... I have been criticized by referring to our federal masked men as 'ninja' ... Let us reflect upon the fact that a man who covers his face shows reason to be ashamed of what he is doing. A man who takes it upon himself to shed blood while concealing his identity is a revolting perversion of the warrior ethic. It has long been my conviction that a masked man with a gun is a target. I see no reason to change that view."
---Jeff cooper
I guess Jesus is allowed to keep his finger inside the trigger. Who is going to tell him not to ???!!!!!
When you list off those agencies, are you talking about the "Higher uppers", as in the directors? Or the agents in general? I never understood why so many people think that law enforcement of any kind is against gun ownership and legal carry.of course the BATFE, CIA, NSA, FBI, DOD,DOJ,IRS,DHS etc, etc, etc ...DON'T WANT YOU TO OWN FIREARMS...why ? you might ask.........it's because am armed society can say NO...where as countries that restrict firearms to it's citizens can make it's citizens SUBJECTS.
JUST ask these guys.....
The Higher ups & the low level agents that are all to0 happy to enforce Draconian unconstitutional laws.Glock34 wrote:When you list off those agencies, are you talking about the "Higher uppers", as in the directors? Or the agents in general? I never understood why so many people think that law enforcement of any kind is against gun ownership and legal carry.of course the BATFE, CIA, NSA, FBI, DOD,DOJ,IRS,DHS etc, etc, etc ...DON'T WANT YOU TO OWN FIREARMS...why ? you might ask.........it's because am armed society can say NO...where as countries that restrict firearms to it's citizens can make it's citizens SUBJECTS.
JUST ask these guys.....
go figureYou've probably seen my posts, but I'll say it again. I have relatives who are both active and retired Law Enforcement, ranging from local PD's, ATF, and DEA. They are also all former military as well as very patriotic men who fully support the United States Constitution.
Not really sure what you mean by that, but my point is, you can't put a blanket over each and every officer or agent of the law, and assume that they're "against us" and against the constitution.Aaron1124 wrote:go figureYou've probably seen my posts, but I'll say it again. I have relatives who are both active and retired Law Enforcement, ranging from local PD's, ATF, and DEA. They are also all former military as well as very patriotic men who fully support the United States Constitution.
True, but the majority are...by a wide margin. IMHOGlock34 wrote:Not really sure what you mean by that, but my point is, you can't put a blanket over each and every officer or agent of the law, and assume that they're "against us" and against the constitution.Aaron1124 wrote:go figureYou've probably seen my posts, but I'll say it again. I have relatives who are both active and retired Law Enforcement, ranging from local PD's, ATF, and DEA. They are also all former military as well as very patriotic men who fully support the United States Constitution.
[font="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][W]e will NOT tolerate ... general bashing of groups of people based upon ... choice of occupation (e.g., being a law enforcement officer).