ATF Continues To Dog Red's

Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted its third audit of Red's this year, its ninth since 1980. Since March, when a federal judge stayed the ATF's revocation of Red's gun-sales license, the audits have come more frequently and are increasingly scrutinizing. The last audit, on May 23, found three new types of violations that had been overlooked in past audits.

Monday afternoon, Horsley said the investigators were specifically looking for guns the shop had obtained through consignment, pawns and transfer. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge ruled that Red's may continue to buy guns and conduct online trades. But effective June 6, Lodge ordered Red's to stop pawns, transfers and consignments, Horsley said.

"We ceased that practice as of that date," Horsley said.

At close to 6 p.m., when the investigators retired for the day, they had found one violation, Horsley said. "A customer forgot to sign the transfer date," he said."

Damn. I'm squarely in Red's corner but these paperwork snafu's are killing the guy. Since the story first made news I've been bugging acquaintances at two of the local Wal-Mart's and one of the nearby gun stores for information concerning their familiarization with such processes. As we all know, yes, the paperwork is complicated in that it takes an experienced eye to spot the less than obvious mistakes. At Wally World, all forms are checked by the sales clerk, the department manager, an assistant manager, and sometimes even more folks before the deal is done. I myself have been called back to dot an i or cross a t when a minor glitch has occurred, and none of the local WM's or gun shops have been found wanting from an ATF audit. Mistakes are made but the paperwork is gone over and over and errors are corrected as fast as humanly possible.

A customer forgot to sign the transfer date. Customer's will do that. And more. I don't want to rag on a fellow gunner but damn, Ryan. Many of us have been petitioning the Judge to call off the ATF dogs, and this just doesn't help.

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Idaho's Constitution:

State of Idaho Constitutional Provision

"The people have the right to keep and bear arms, which right shall not be abridged; but this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to govern the carrying of weapons concealed on the person, nor prevent passage of legislation providing minimum sentences for crimes committed while in possession of a firearm, nor prevent passage of legislation providing penalties for the possession of firearms by a convicted felon, nor prevent the passage of legislation punishing the use of a firearm. No law shall impose licensure, registration or special taxation on the ownership or possession of firearms or ammunition. Nor shall any law permit the confiscation of firearms, except those actually used in the commission of a felony." Article 1, Section 11.

While disliking the "buts", this is a fair Constitution as state Constitution's go. Doesn't appear to be a state vendetta against Red's, and what I want to know is why the Feds picked him to fuck with.