The US House of Representatives will soon vote on HR 5092 (
www.jpfo.org/HR5092.pdf ), the
"Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE)
Modernization and Reform Act of 2006". Many are hailing
this bill as a positive step toward reform of the BATFE.
But is it really?
- Unlike HR 1603 -- which is bottled up in committee -- HR
5092 does not require the videotaping of BATFE firearm tests,
which would ensure these tests are conducted fairly and competently.
- HR 5092 does not require the BATFE to establish standardized,
written procedures on how firearms are tested
- HR 5092 does not address the BATFE's policy of arbitrarily
reclassifying firearms or firearm accessories as illegal ( http://www.jpfo.org/BM3000reconsider.htm
), nor require the BATFE to give notice of such reclassification
- HR 5092 does not address the situation of gun owners who
may have been unfairly convicted through faulty firearms testing
or arbitrary firearms reclassification
For legislation entitled "BATFE Modernization and Reform
Act", HR 5092 seems to be conspicuously lacking in any
meaningful reform of the BATFE. Indeed, nine of the 13 pages
of this bill address potential _FFL_ violations and
punishments! And the highly-lauded guidelines for BATFE investigations
as related to gun shows? HR 5092 requires that the Department
of Justice review the BATFE's current procedures and submit
a report to Congress. That's right -- the bill does NOT establish
ANY changes in the current procedures; it merely requests a
report on them.
Like all previous attempts at "reforming" the BATFE,
HR 5092 appears to be nothing more than window-dressing. Since
the bill itself contains no significant reforms to the BATFE,
any "pro-gun" changes in BATFE procedures resulting
from HR 5092 will merely be a re-interpretation of current law.
This means it can be changed again at the whim of whatever administration
is in power.
JPFO cannot and does not take a stand on any particular piece
of legislation. We are an educational, not a political, organization.
But we hope every reader will think very carefully about this
particular bill.
Reforming the BATFE has not worked in the past and won't work
now. This agency has been out of control since the 1970s, and
no administration has been able to contain its abuses (if, indeed,
any administration has legitimately attempted to do so). Gun
owners MUST stop falling for the smoke and mirrors of our political
"friends" and those who have a vested interest in
the status quo.
The ONLY solution is complete and total abolishment of the
BATFE; in fact, there's a growing sentiment that ALL federal
regulation of firearms should be eliminated. Go to www.jpfo.org/thegang.htm
or www.thegangmovie.com
for more information on how you can help us destroy this rogue
outfit.
- The Liberty Crew
