View Full Version : ATF at gunshows
Has the ATF started regularly started setting up shop at gunshows? I was recently at a show up north at Loveland and noticed they had a table there. Seemed odd to me...they trying to keep an eye on things?
Was it like an information booth or were they just posted up watching?
CrufflerSteve
10-21-2010, 09:38
If they had a booth, the people at the booth couldn't be doing much checking. I suppose they could be waiting for people to bring up their illegal weapons or they could have had other agents walking the floor.
I suppose they could be trying some outreach. The gun community does not think well of F Troop and they could be trying to improve that.
Steve
It was an information booth and they were giving out all sorts of fliers and pamphlets. I grabbed 1 of almost everything they were giving out. C&R lists...Firearms laws...etc.
I saw at least 2 guys there but it seemed a lot of the time 1 was off doing who knows what. What I saw of their interaction with the people there seemed like they really didn't want to talk with anyone and had better things to be doing.
Been a while since I have been to a gunshow and didn't know if this was the norm now or if I encountered something unusual.
Probably punishment from their boss.
Troublco
10-22-2010, 11:08
I've seen them at least a couple of times, too. One of the last shows at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, and at least one of the Tanners. I can't imagine that they really want to be helpful, so I'd have to lean toward the idea of this giving them a better reason to have more of a presence at the shows. I've known and/or dealt with a few ATF agents, and it seems to me that they're either really good folks who'll help you out or total a**es, who think their dung is without odor. Haven't seen too much in between. I tend toward caution with them, personally.
BlasterBob
10-22-2010, 11:26
They (BATFE) have a table/booth set up at the Wanenmacher TULSA gun show on a fairly regular basis. Here again, they are passing out all kinds of printed materials and usually making serious attempts to answer questions pertaining to firearms rules/laws. Normally, they (down at Tulsa) seem to be pretty friendly and usually make a serious attempt to answer all of the weird/nutty questions put to them. I have asked a couple rather technical questions and they admitted that they just didn't have an immediate answer. They had a table at one of the Colorado Springs shows a few years ago and although they furnished an incorrect answer to my question regarding C&R's, they appeared to be appreciative when I showed them the correct answer which was printed in their publication covering C&R rules. Luckily for me, none of these people gave me the impression of their being real axeholes. However, we have to keep in mind that these BATFE folks are paid to catch folks ACTUALLY breaking the Federal laws covering firearms.. Just my .02 cents worth as I know that my opinion and a dollar will just barely buy a can of Coke.
Probably punishment from their boss.
Win!
Seriously, I think their presence is not so much as to enforce the regs, provide information, or reach out to us. It's all about letting us know they're there, so we watch our p's and q's (FFLs especially). Kinda like when there's 3 cops at a rally of a hundred people, they may not catch everyone that breaks the law, but who really wants to be the one they DO manage to nab? Don't think for a second they don't have some undercover agents wandering around observing or even "testing" some of the dealers...
BPTactical
10-22-2010, 11:35
Enforcement by Presence.
Be assured there are "Fishermen" at every show.
TFogger got it right[Beer]
Tinfoil hats on
They are there to pass out false information so they can make more arrests
/tinfoil hats [Coffee]
Be assured there are "Fishermen" at every show.
So that's why the old dude wanted to sale me a G18. I just didn't have the cash at the time. My brother got to shoot one overseas... so jealous....
OgenRwot
10-22-2010, 13:25
Maybe they are trying to rectify the bad name they have. And so what if they are? They aren't trying to trick anyone. If they are handing out info on what is and isn't legal and how to fill out their forms don't you think that's going to help those shopping at a gun show not get arrested? If you ask me, they are being rather helpful to the gun community by being there trying to fix things. You can be pissed off at Ruby Ridge or Waco or whatever but that was not these guys. And to top it off, it's not the ATFs fault they exist and have stupid laws to enforce. Why don't you write your Congressman a note, they are the ones to blame.
Circuits
10-22-2010, 13:54
Tinfoil hats on
They are there to pass out false information so they can make more arrests
/tinfoil hats [Coffee]
NEVAR /tinfoil!!!! If you do, *they* can read and alter your thoughts. ;)
SouthPark
10-22-2010, 13:55
ATF sets up from time to time as a PR outreach. DO talk to them, it helps overcome the propaganda they've been taught that we're one step below terrorists and likely criminals.
NEVAR /tinfoil!!!! If you do, *they* can read and alter your thoughts. ;)http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/images/emoticons//tinfoilhatsmile.gif
Maybe they are there to learn a thing or two about guns. We all know they need help in that department. My experience with them has been nothing but ridiculous. Bunch of gungrabbers. The one guy I talked to didn't even know what an M1 Garand was. And the second he heard UZI, he assumed it was full auto and illegal. Don't even get me started on what he knew about a BAR. Idiots...all of them.
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