Are Gun Ban Groups Snooping Around in Your Records?

Sadly, the answer may be yes. The Second Amendment has taken yet another beating in D.C. District Court, which recently authorized the public disclosure of both the serial numbers of multiple sale firearms and the identity of their retail purchasers. The case is Center to Prevent Handgun Violence (CPHV) v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, et al. (Civ.No. 96-1590).

A “multiple sale report” is mandated when more than one handgun is sold to the same buyer within five business days, and is submitted by the gun dealer to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Now, the gun ban activists at CPHV, which bills itself as an “educational arm” of Handgun Control, Inc., have been granted access to these records — with no restrictions on how they use the information.

Multiple sales of handguns are by no means an uncommon or inherently criminal event. Law enforcement officers frequently purchase multiple handguns for off-duty use. Now, officers — along with collectors, hobbyists, and competitors — will be open to harassment and ridicule by gun control advocates.

Worse yet, when their identities are inevitably exposed through the media —as we’ve seen with public disclosure of permits for concealed carry — these innocent purchasers are wide open to attack by criminals.

The CPHV claimed that they needed the sales information in order to research the relationship between multiple handgun sales and any criminal activity later found to involve these firearms. Of course, BATF reviews these records for exactly the same purpose, and there is no indication — other than the complaints of anti-gun activists — that BATF has not fully utilized this information for criminal investigations. In fact, according to the BATF, ongoing and future investigations may be jeopardized by the release of information.

It should be obvious that dishonest purchasers will find ways to bypass the reporting requirement to avoid detection. BATF stated that releasing such data will serve only to benefit the black market, and would effectively defeat the legislative purpose of the reporting requirement by driving illicit sales underground.

The decision is a clear infringement upon the privacy interests of federal firearm licensees, law-abiding citizens and law enforcement. The fear of harassment and exposure to criminal predation may deter many honest citizens from purchasing firearms, while vindictive criminals will no doubt take advantage of the opportunity to pursue law enforcement for vengeance and profit.

Once again, the anti-gun lobby has unleashed the law of unintended consequences with no regard or responsibility for the aftermath. We strongly urge BATF to appeal this ruling and protect the privacy, and the safety, of the public and law enforcement alike.

There is a simple formula for making our streets safe — eliminate crime and fear of crime by eliminating criminals from our streets. It is a radical concept, but its just that simple. This has been the mantra of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) since the day we opened our doors.

Unfortunately, in the early 1960’s liberal politicians and criminal apologists began successfully convincing the national media — and through them, the American public – that it is anytthing but the criminals fault.

LEAA came into being when a handful of cops decided enough was enough. Our nation was being overrun by the worst kind of criminals. Worse, anti-gun politicians and the media began to drive a wedge between law enforcement and honest gun owners.

Guns became the favorite whipping post of excuse makers like HCI’s Sarah Brady.

Guns, to HCI, Mrs. Brady, and crew, are the “cause of crime” and criminals are helpless pawns. They say “so and so was killed by a gun,” not ever mentioning the homicidal criminal who actually pulled the trigger.

LEAA blames crime on criminals and those in society who let criminals get away unpunished for their criminal behavior. And, we back up our words with action. In the press, in front of public forums, and by means of legislative advocacy, LEAA is carrying a message of individual rights, responsibilities, and the need to punish wrong-doers for their actions.

LEAA doesn’t blame guns for anything, we blame the criminal behind the gun. In fact, LEAA credits responsible gun ownership for the ability to exercise the very freedoms upon which this nation was founded. In fact, it is LEAA’s belief that freedom is intrinsically entwined with our ability and right as responsible citizens to own and use firearms.

That is why LEAA has been one of the leading advocates for citizen “Right-to-Carry” since our inception some six years ago. LEAA has testified countless times in favor of citizen “Right-to-Carry” statutes and played a critical role in their passage. “Right-to-Carry” puts the one thing criminals fear — armed and trained citizens — into our communities to mix with their intended victims.

We also adamantly opposed liberal, anti-2nd Amenndment issues that have had no effect on crime: the “Brady Law,” the semi-auto and magazine bans, the “Lautenberg Act” and the proposed ban on
“Cop Killer Bullets” that a recently completed study, agreed didn’t exist). Instead, LEAA —like most street cops — wants to ban “Cop Killer Criminals.”

That commitment to fight crime and return our streets and our Constitutional rights to law-abiding citizens is the pledge LEAA makes to every responsible citizen, law enforcement officer, and crime victim of this nation.

Please call 1-800-766-8578 for more information on LEAA or to join in the fight to preserve our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Lets start making criminals fear the law once again.