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BATFE, Firearm Importation & Federal Firearm Law Reform

Among its duties, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) monitors firearm manufacturers, importers and dealers for compliance with record-keeping requirements; conducts traces on the commercial paths of individual firearms at the request of law enforcement agencies; interprets firearm importation law; and administers transfers of firearms regulated by the National Firearm Act of 1934.

The BATFE was used by the Clinton administration to reduce the number of firearm dealers, and by the administrations of presidents G. H. W. Bush and Clinton to restrict “assault weapons” by misinterpreting firearm importation law. The agency’s tracing data, sometimes useful in identifying persons involved in illegally trafficking firearms, have been mischaracterized by gun control supporters in the context of their campaigns against “Saturday Night Specials” and “assault weapons,” and in favor of making state gun laws more restrictive.

BATFE has been widely criticized for its role in the “Ruby Ridge” and “Waco” tragedies, and Operation Fast and Furious, in which the agency knowingly allowed firearms to be bought by straw purchasers and other traffickers, and thereafter smuggled from the United States to Mexico, where they made their way to violent drug cartels.

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News  

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Obama Administration Endangered Lives to Justify Gun Control

In all of my years fighting on behalf of the National Rifle Association to defend the Second Amendment, ...

The Washington Times  

Friday, December 16, 2011

Obama's Watergate: Officials cover up culpability for gun smuggling and murder

A year ago this week, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was murdered. He died protecting his country ...

Fox News  

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fast and Furious scandal gives rise to gun regulation debate

As a candidate, Barack Obama once endorsed a ban on handguns and favored restrictions on the purchase and ...

Town Hall  

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fast and Furious comes up as GOP debate topic

After months of debate from GOP presidential candidates on topics ranging from Gardasil vaccinations to nuclear Iran, the ...

The Daily Caller  

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fast and Furious debuts in debate

Fast and Furious was a program of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, overseen by Holder's ...

CBS News  

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Terry family marks one year anniversary of death of their son

One year ago today, Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was gunned down in Arizona near the Mexican ...

Fox News  

Thursday, December 15, 2011

FBI Director denies cover-up involving 'Fast and Furious' guns found at border agent's murder

The head of the FBI is strongly denying claims his agency tried to cover up evidence related to ...

The Daily Caller  

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Ariz. congressman files 'no confidence' resolution against A.G. Eric Holder

Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives pushing for vote of ...

The Baton Rouge Advocate  

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Louisiana delegates take aim

Three members of the Louisiana congressional delegation are furious with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, calling for his ...

Daily Caller  

Monday, December 12, 2011

Holder may be holding on to private emails about Fast and Furious

A largely overlooked exchange from Thursday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing includes what appears to be an admission from ...

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.