Slapped in the Face by ATF Today

Well, not literally but it definitely pissed me off. Sorry if this is in the wrong forum but I figured I’d get the best results posting it here!

So after a few weeks of shopping around I settled on the new firearm I wanted to purchase. I went to a reputable, local dealer (if you live in US you've heard of the place) and filled out the usual ATF background info. Long story short - I was notified that I am on 'ATF hold' until further review of my background and I was forced to walk out of this establishment empty handed.

I feel completely furious and insulted that some ass-hat at ATF kept me from legally buying a firearm because he wants to "further review" my record. I pay my taxes, I had (past tense) a concealed license for several years, I own many firearms and I have absolutely NO criminal record whatsoever. After spending 8 years of my life actively serving my country in the Marine Corps, the thought that some FED pencil pusher has the authority to prevent me from exercising my 2nd amendment right to legally purchase and possess a firearm makes my blood boil.



Someone PLEASE tell me this is a common occurrence. If anyone can shed some light on this practice I would appreciate it.

reply to post by seabag


We are not allowed to own firearms here (in the UK) without a special licence. I just wondered why you had so many, and what you wanted another one for?

Thank you for your service with the USMC.
You are right to feel that this is a slap in the face. If the problem is not rectified quickly, call your US Congressman and Senators.
It is crap. The supposed purpose of the instant background check was to get things done quickly and separate the good from the bad guys.

Please keep us up to date with what happens.

Sorry to hear about this incident. I have not had the extra resources to get another gun in about five years. I also wasn't aware or apart of ATS or other groups since that time so I wouldn't be surprised if when I do get to gun shop again, the same were to happen to me.

Please let us know what response they return on the matter. In the meantime, keep your guns clean and your ammo stocked.

Originally posted by Urbanshadow
reply to post by seabag

 

We are not allowed to own firearms here (in the UK) without a special licence. I just wondered why you had so many, and what you wanted another one for?

I would wonder more why someone just wanted one. If you had grown up around gun collectors, you'd know that one is never enough. And that they are some of the safest people to possess them because they are usually under lock and key, polished, shined and protected from dust.

Now the fellow that just wants one for the purpose of having it....

Let em, but that sets off more of a red flag than the person who collects.

And to address the OP, it's a shame that you were in the military, where it's your duty to carry and protect the country, but when you look for personal possession it becomes a problem.

Let's hope this is just a misunderstanding as from what you have told us, there seems to be no reason for you to be scrutinized.

Originally posted by Urbanshadow
reply to post by seabag

 

We are not allowed to own firearms here (in the UK) without a special licence. I just wondered why you had so many, and what you wanted another one for?

Ahhh. Our government doesn't 'allow' us to own firearms, we claim it as our right.
I wonder why you never did the same.

Originally posted by Urbanshadow
reply to post by seabag

 

We are not allowed to own firearms here (in the UK) without a special licence. I just wondered why you had so many, and what you wanted another one for?

Hi Urbanshadow, I'm from the uk too.
Not long agao Canada had the largest gun count per person in the world, they also had the lowest gun crime figures. Proof that guns dont cause crime, its the people holding them, so why shouldnt this guy buy himself another gun?

Originally posted by Urbanshadow
reply to post by seabag

 

We are not allowed to own firearms here (in the UK) without a special licence. I just wondered why you had so many, and what you wanted another one for?

Because I like them and it’s my constitutional right (or at least it used to be…I’m beginning to wonder if I missed the memo).

Not to get too far off topic but…..guns are part of American culture, friend. I don’t expect you to fully understand or appreciate it because your country wasn’t formed through violent uprising at the end of a gun just two centuries ago. Our country vowed that its citizens would never be caught in that position again (pitted against a tyrannical government), which is why we (Americans) have a ‘right’ to keep and bear arms.

its unfortunate but its battlefield america now and vets are the terrorists, something to do with drinking raw milk...
or being amish, or homeschooled....

maybe some insanely "patriotic" xenophobic posts to get the software off your six?

All humor aside, I hope its just routine and that they let it go through...

skillsaw, check, fishing rod, check, knife, check, truck, check, dog, check, wife, check, GUN, CHECK, hammer, check....

reply to post by butcherguy

You are right to feel that this is a slap in the face. If the problem is not rectified quickly, call your US Congressman and Senators. It is crap. The supposed purpose of the instant background check was to get things done quickly and separate the good from the bad guys.

I was told by the employee that this is something that happens frequently but she couldn’t tell me why. I’ve actually purchased 2 firearms this year from this very store without incident. I’m wondering if that has something to do with it??

Please keep us up to date with what happens.

I was told that if I wasn’t contacted by the store before 6/13 to just return on that date to complete the transaction (which leads me to believe this might be normal, though it certainly has never happened to me).

I will post an update, for sure.

Originally posted by seabag
reply to post by butcherguy

 

You are right to feel that this is a slap in the face. If the problem is not rectified quickly, call your US Congressman and Senators. It is crap. The supposed purpose of the instant background check was to get things done quickly and separate the good from the bad guys.

I was told by the employee that this is something that happens frequently but she couldn’t tell me why. I’ve actually purchased 2 firearms this year from this very store without incident. I’m wondering if that has something to do with it??

Please keep us up to date with what happens.

I was told that if I wasn’t contacted by the store before 6/13 to just return on that date to complete the transaction (which leads me to believe this might be normal, though it certainly has never happened to me).

I will post an update, for sure.

It could be that your "frequent purchases" are sending some sort of a red flag. Or the ATF could be using some hap-hazard way of flagging you like the the TSA. Or possibly the size of the caliber?

Originally posted by seabag
Our country vowed that its citizens would never be caught in that position again (pitted against a tyrannical government),

Yeah? So hows that working out for you?

Americans keep saying that they need guns to protect themselves against the government, but lets face it, it'll never happen. Much like the brave keyboard cowboys here on ATS who read about some police related outrage and swear "If that ever happened to me, there'd be a lot less police going home alive that evening."... its all talk.

And now citizens have so many guns in the society, guns are needed to protect against other citizens.

reply to post by Wolf321

Sorry to hear about this incident. I have not had the extra resources to get another gun in about five years. I also wasn't aware or apart of ATS or other groups since that time so I wouldn't be surprised if when I do get to gun shop again, the same were to happen to me.

It’s funny you should say that because I automatically started reviewing in my head everything I had done between my last purchase and today!

I HOPE today has nothing to do with my activities or we’re going to have some problems because I certainly haven’t broken any law.

Please let us know what response they return on the matter. In the meantime, keep your guns clean and your ammo stocked.

Will do!

Likewise!

I wonder what type of weapon it is..
I thought that the ATF only got involved with automatics..
but its been awhile since I purchased anything..

reply to post by seabag


well i think that's the best thing that could have happened.
if you were smart, from now on, the only gun purchases you make would come from private sales.
no need in the state or atf to know what your packin.
because when they do come looking for our guns, it's the ones with the paper trail they will go for first.

oh ra
semper fi

reply to post by alfa1

Americans keep saying that they need guns to protect themselves against the government, but lets face it, it'll never happen. Much like the brave keyboard cowboys here on ATS who read about some police related outrage and swear "If that ever happened to me, there'd be a lot less police going home alive that evening."... its all talk.

So, what would you bring to the gunfight, a stick or a steak knife. Does your government 'allow' you to have steak knives?

I hope they don't take away your pencils and make you use crayons. That would suck.

reply to post by Danbones

its unfortunate but its battlefield america now and vets are the terrorists, something to do with drinking raw milk...

or being amish, or homeschooled....

maybe some insanely "patriotic" xenophobic posts to get the software off your six?

I tell you what…what you said was exactly what popped into my head first. I’m very lucky there was no ATS representative there to break this news to me or I would have gone off like Alex freakin’ Jones on him!! I would have needed a chin strap so my tin foil hat didn’t pop off!!!

All humor aside, I hope its just routine and that they let it go through...

Me too… I just received a PM from a member who has a FFL who said this is normal and random, so I will sleep a little easier now. As soon as this is resolved I’ll post something!

skillsaw, check, fishing rod, check, knife, check, truck, check, dog, check, wife, check, GUN, CHECK, hammer, check....

You know it!

Just an educated guess here, but does the ATF perhaps do random audits with gun purchasers, similar to the likeness that the IRS would audit one's taxes?

Maybe you just got lucky, or unlucky in this case

reply to post by dreamreader

It could be that your "frequent purchases" are sending some sort of a red flag. Or the ATF could be using some hap-hazard way of flagging you like the the TSA. Or possibly the size of the caliber?

I thought the number of purchases might have been a red flag.

AS FAR AS I KNOW there is no limit on purchases, only sales, and I haven't sold any.

Only one was a higher caliber and it wasn’t this one so I can confidently exclude that.

Originally posted by seabag
reply to post by dreamreader

 

It could be that your "frequent purchases" are sending some sort of a red flag. Or the ATF could be using some hap-hazard way of flagging you like the the TSA. Or possibly the size of the caliber?

I thought the number of purchases might have been a red flag.

AS FAR AS I KNOW there is no limit on purchases, only sales, and I haven't sold any.

Only one was a higher caliber and it wasn’t this one so I can confidently exclude that.

IMO its frequency of purchase regardless of what the excuse they claim is the reason. You see, now we have lists.. and lists of all of these scary people a la Big Sis. You know.. scary folks like those who say " constitution" too much, returning combat vets, vets in general, militia members, etc.