ATF Rips Off Another Gun Dealer in Arizona

[Tony10]

HAWK/JOHN: LET'S KEEP ONE THING STRAIGHT.

I am in no way saying that you, John, made that up or are intentionally passing around something you know to be false.

I'm saying that story sounds like pure B.S. to me. Everything, from the writing style (amateurish) to its unknown origins (is that supposed to be a news account?) to the grandiose, dramatic descriptions of the evil baddies are right out of your Beginner's Guide to Propaganda.

So hold on to your hats, I'll be getting back to you.

[Ronin]

"Fanaticism, hypocrisy, and intolerance"?

Are you opposed to these things, Joe?

[Tony10]

Uh, Joe, I'm not talking about the whole gun debate here. I am saying the account that John got somewhere is BS.

[Tony10]

Well, here we go...

For starters, gentlemen, 602 is a Phoenix area code, not Mesa. Dialing that number gets you a message that the call cannot be connected. Maybe that was just a typo.

As a matter of fact, there is a Specialty Firearms in Mesa, of course with a different telephone number (1055 North Mesa Drive). Upon calling that number, you are greeted with an answering machine on which a man says:

"Hi, thanks for calling Specialty Firearms. We are temporarily closed due to a family emergency, but we will reopen as soon as possible. Thank you for calling!"

Stay tuned.

[John Bennett]

Yes, the story is completely biased in favor of the gun store owner and against the ATF. That doesn't make it false.

I posted this story merely to demonstrate how in the real world (in other words, not the imaginary world CBS or Rosie) gun control wrecks people's lives.

I really am pleased that you guys find this story incredulous. It means that you agree with me. It means you know things like this shouldn't happen in America. It means you KNOW such things are inherently wrong.

I sincerly hope the gun store owner's surveillence video tape doesn't get "lost" by the ATF because I want you guys to be able to watch in right here on RealPlayer.

---

Again, if you really don't believe this story call Jerry Michel of Specialty Firearms at 480-962-0913 1055 N. Mesa Drive, Mesa Arizona 85201.

For the other side of the story call the Phoenix ATF field office at 602-776-5400 and ask to speak to Special Agent in Charge and Group Supervisor Marvin Richardson or Assistant SAIC, Joe M. Gordon, or Robert Gantt, the agent who got the search warrant from U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence O. Anderson.

[Ronin]

Yes John, it breaks my heart that all his antique guns were scratched.

Colombine pales by comparison.

What was I thinking?

[Tony10]

Originally posted by John Bennett
Yes, the story is completely biased in favor of the gun store owner and against the ATF. That doesn't make it false.

I just deleted the whole closing argument speech I had here.

If anybody wants to demonstrate their point, fine. Just the facts, though, please.

Sure, John, I said the raid may have taken place but that account of it sounds like bad porno writing.

Ding-dong. "Hey... I didn't order a pizza!" (music starts)

It doesn't make it false, but it sure calls into question the writer's credibility. If they can't leave a true story alone, whaddaya think they're gonna do when they make when up? And then you can't tell what's what.

There's just too much hokey melodrama in that account for me to swallow it as is.

What I'm saying is that stretching, distorting or fictionalizing is bad news, whether it's gun owners, the Chinese government or the greatest work of fiction of the 20th century: The Warren Report.

Don't expect truth unless you demand it.

[Edited by Tony10 on 11-01-2000 at 04:28 PM]

[Ronin]

Preach on, Tony!

[Tony10]

Anyway, to answer your earlier question John--if that account is true of course I'm outraged.

[John Bennett]

Understood.

[Ninjagod]

And who belives that with Bush we will have more freedom??? Jesus only if you are RICH! The feds were not out of control during the Reagan/Bush years??? Ya sure.
Freedom for all period!!

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

When I join the FBI or Customs, I promise to set things straight in the goverment agencies!

[Shimora]

I agree with Tony10. That article is nothing but BS propaganda from the Charlton Heston Brigade. Why is their no source on this article apart from the authors name?
What newspaper published this article?
Looks more like an Urban Myth being propagated by the NRA.
The government would not do anything underhanded.

[Ryu (non-working password]

Ronin, I'm trying to study for mid-terms coming up, and now I have that damn "they're coming to take me away, haha" song stuck in my head! Bastid!

Well I'm gonna keep quiet on this issue for now. All I can say is that I don't take say the "700 club" as accurate news reporting when they go out and do their stuff (no offense to any 700ers in here).
The way something is written greatly effects how it is perceived by its readers. So I don't know.
I'm curious to find out what the guy has to say. Is Tony10 going to call him?

Ryu

[Ronin]

Ryu:

Slowly, I am taking over your brain.

Don't attempt to fight the transfer. It will only prolong your agony.