Quote Originally Posted by Ridge View Post
Who really gets in line for an Olympic Arms gun, anyway? I know when I'm shopping for a gun, getting one that can get me 10 years in FPMITA prison is on the top of my requirements.
I forgot about that.
http://www.libertybelles.org/articles/criminalbatfe.htm

David Olofson, a Wisconsin gun owner, was convicted for transferring a machine gun. In actuality, Mr. Olofson owns a perfectly legal, AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. He loaned it to a friend to use at a local shooting range. The gun had fired over 800 rounds of ammunition before misfiring. Upon misfire, it fired two shots in a row and jammed on the third. This is commonly known as a "hammer follow." The misfire happened twice. Another party at the range heard the multiple round burst and notified police.
The S.W.A.T. team, local police, Sheriff's Department, and BATFE subsequently conducted a no-knock raid of Mr. Olofson's house. The S.W.A.T. team kicked down Mr. Olofson's front door, entered wearing full body armor, then seized all of his guns, gun manuals, and his computer. Mr. Olofson, family man and Army veteran, was arrested.
The BATFE conducted a field test on the alleged machine gun, but was unable to recreate the multiple round burst. Not liking the negative results of the test, the field agent ordered the gun retested using a cheaper form of ammunition which is easier to cause multiple firings if you have a malfunction. Upon retesting, the gun did malfunction which was enough to get Mr. Olofson convicted of transferring a machine gun.
Mr. Olofson is now facing somewhere between 18 months and just over six years in prison along with a possible fine of $250,000.
The firearm manufacturer, Olympic Arms, was well aware of the tendency of this firearm to malfunction and had conducted a recall of the defective part. The BATFE was aware of this recall, but refused to enter the information into evidence during Mr. Olofson's trial citing tax privacy. It has since been determined that the recall documentation (which would have helped to exonerate Olofson) did not contain any sensitive tax information. Mr. Olofson's sentencing phase is currently on hold by the court as a result.
This argument that gun control is necessary to combat crime is flimsy and has been disproven numerous times. The overwhelming majority of gun owners are law abiding citizens, like Mr. Olofson, who never hurt anyone.
Any government official who ignores the Bill of Rights should be subject to arrest, jail time, and lawsuits against his person. Giving immunity to people who obviously think they're above the law only serves to ensure continuous government abuse.
Anyone concerned about Mr. Olofson should call Senator John McCain. Let's face it, there's no one running the BATFE. Attorney General Michael Mukasey and lame duck President Bush could care less. However, if Mr. McCain wants the pro-gun vote he should launch an effort prompting the Senate to look into Mr. Olofson's case. Mr. McCain and any Senator or Representative up for re-election are the only ones who have anything to lose by ignoring this issue, IF you bring it to their attention.
Contact your favorite talk radio show and express your opinion on this issues. At this time, Lou Dobbs is the only mainstream media figure who is addressing injustice commited upon Mr. Olofson. It's up to us to hold the media and government accountable for their inaction. Next time it might be you on trial instead of Mr. Olofson unless we keep the government and media in check.