Did Bloomberg commit straw-man purchases?

[kfmorris1]

The media seem to reference NYC's dealer stings as proof that we in VA have slack gun laws. Can anyone point me in the right direction for gathering evidence or prove my understanding incorrect about the following:

Mayor Bloomberg or his office hired private investigators to pose as customers to purchase firearms in other states. It is believed that since these purchases were actually made on behalf of Bloomberg or his office, they constitute a "straw-man" purchase, a violation of Federal law.

As far as our gun laws:

We have to do a background check for all gun purchases from a dealer; there is no waiting period per se as we have electronic access to background information (via the VA State Police). I used to have a small gun shop and the background check is quick but thorough. If no answer is given by the state police, the dealer must wait for a written response and the sale is not completed. There are more details obviously, but you get the idea.

 

[Zundfolge]

Straw-Man is a fallacy of logic, I believe the term you're looking for is Straw Purchase.


Actually it sounds like his staffers (or PIs, or whomever he had make the purchases) would be the ones committing the crime of straw purchase. In addition, buying handguns out of state and transporting them across state lines is yet another federal crime they would be guilty of.

Bloomberg would be guilty of conspiracy in all these crimes however.

 

[rangermonroe]

Would RICO apply?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Would RICO apply?

God how funny would that be to see his car being hauled out of the driveway.

Hey, a man needs to have dreams. That is now one of mine. Thanks

 

[1 old 0311]

He violated a lot of FEDERAL LAWS. Rich Mayors from N.Y. get to do that.......Well so do poor Mayors from New Orleans.
Laws apply to US. Not THEM.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

I was unsure what he was trying to prove - that you can lie on the ATF form and get guns? Sure, but that in itself is a crime.

 

[Brett Bellmore]

Bloomberg isn't guilty of making a straw purchase, but I believe he IS guilty of conspiracy in this regard. He absolutely could be prosecuted, if the Justice department wanted to.

The shame is that they don't want to.

 

[tinygnat219]

His lawsuits are using a broad application of New York City Public Nuissance laws in federal Court. He handed over all of his evidence to the BATF, who said that NOT ONE crime had been committed and they refused to prosecute.
Hmmm...

Maybe it's time to FOIA the VA State Police to see what, if any, evidence they have received from Bloomie.

TJ

 

[ATW525]

God how funny would that be to see his car being hauled out of the driveway.

About as funny as his car getting jacked in Jersey, which I believe has already happened

Honestly, I'd love to see BAFTE agents surrounding NYC hall in true WACO/Ruby Ridge fashion. Perhaps the FBI could loan them Lon Horiuchi for the operation.

 

[Duncan223]

Sadly, governmental bodies, which includes those involved in so-called "stings" - enjoy sovereign immunity.

 

[Autolycus]

Duncan223: The problem is that he was not acting as a governmental body but a political one.

 

[ATW525]

Who paid for the investigation, anyways? Was it Bloomberg or the people of New York?

If he paid for it out of his own pocket I would say he was acting as private citizen.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sadly, governmental bodies, which includes those involved in so-called "stings" - enjoy sovereign immunity.

That only holds true when that Government body has jurisdiction to do an investigation. A Mayor of a city has no jurisdiction to investigate anyone outside the city he is Mayor of, especially outside his own State. The Mayors office on NYC is there for not entitled to the protections afforded said immunity. (Translation, they broke the law and could be prosecuted.)

 

[tbtrout]

He is rich, so he will get away with almost anything.