Got a call from the BATF today....

Speedo66 · May 30, 2020

warning me of possible civil unrest, and reminding me to take appropriate steps to safeguard my firearms inventory, and my record book. They also reminded me to "remain vigilant" and report any burglaries or attempts, or missing inventory.

I have a C&R license, have never used it, but that's how they had my phone number.

Anybody else get that call?

1942bull · May 30, 2020

I must say I am surprised that BATF was that diligent.

bdickens · May 30, 2020

That wasn't the BATF calling you.

swagbrdr · May 30, 2020

Doesn’t that mean load them up and get ready?

WestKentucky · May 30, 2020

swagbrdr said:
Doesn’t that mean load them up and get ready?

Only if it’s a C&R item manufactured under the direction of Hiram Maxim.

gunlaw · May 30, 2020

Sounds fishy. Did they ask for a credit card number?

Col. Harrumph · May 30, 2020

No calls here from ATF. Sounds fishy. But maybe you live in Minneapolis, so....

Speedo66 · May 30, 2020

I do not live in MN, but do live just outside a city that did have a riot last night. The post office labels my zip code as the city even though I do not live in it.

The call was placed from DC, and was not requesting any sort of response.

AlexanderA · May 30, 2020

bdickens said:
That wasn't the BATF calling you.

But it doesn't sound like a scam. I would guess it was the ATF being diligent. Did they ask for any specific information from you regarding the guns, etc.?

Ernie Bass · May 30, 2020

What was the number they called from?

bdickens · May 30, 2020

https://www.atf.gov/news/pr/telephone-fraud-scheme-used-request-money-transfer-firearms

Government agencies do not initiate contact by telephone.

AlexanderA · May 30, 2020

bdickens said:
https://www.atf.gov/news/pr/telephone-fraud-scheme-used-request-money-transfer-firearms

That's not the same fact pattern. Here, no money was requested.

Hillbillyz · May 30, 2020

I also got a call and live in a city with rioting last night. I figure it also was because I have a C&R license.

My how history has changed, I get a call saying secure your firearms and paper work so nothing happens to them. In every good western I've seen it was grab your gun and help settle down the disturbance.

bdickens · May 31, 2020

AlexanderA said:
That's not the same fact pattern. Here, no money was requested.

Well, then it seems as though the OP is on the cutting edge of a new scam.

Once again: Government agencies do not typically initiate contact by telephone. Or by email. They either send a letter or someone comes to visit.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/03/government-imposters-want-get-know-you

Ks5shooter · May 31, 2020

Lawyer ,Lawyer and lawyer enough said.

RetiredUSNChief · May 31, 2020

I suppose it wouldn't have been too smart to say "Thanks...any Mexican cartel operatives in the area I need to know about?"

DoubleMag · May 31, 2020

Um, maybe simply just call them at your official contact number, and ask if they really called?

12Bravo20 · May 31, 2020

DoubleMag said:
Um, maybe simply just call them at your official contact number, and ask if they really called?

That is exactly what I would do. That way you will know for sure if they called you and they can look into it if it was a fraudulent call.

Speedo66 · May 31, 2020

It was a recorded message, again, no response was requested. No asking for serial numbers, credit cards, where my guns are, etc.

The fact that they have not used phones in the past does not mean they won't use them, as now, to alert, rather than gather information. It's a different world out there.

All scam warnings attempt to dissuade you from giving out personal information. Since they requested nothing, and nothing was provided, it really doesn't matter to me if it was truly them or a false message, but I tend to believe it was legitimate.

If I feel like spending time on call waiting on Mon. perhaps I'll give them a call.

Edit: I just Googled the number and it comes back as having been used by the BATF in the past, so I'm convinced it was legit.

tommy.duncan · May 31, 2020

I just got a call from the BATFE too. It was a DC area code robot call.
My wife is a Fed Gov employee and she gets calls al the time. I was surprised by this one.

Hillbillyz said:
I also got a call and live in a city with rioting last night. I figure it also was because I have a C&R license.

I have a C&R too, maybe this is how they have my info.

FFGColorado · May 31, 2020

Speedo66 said:
It was a recorded message, again, no response was requested. No asking for serial numbers, credit cards, where my guns are, etc.

The fact that they have not used phones in the past does not mean they won't use them, as now, to alert, rather than gather information. It's a different world out there.

All scam warnings attempt to dissuade you from giving out personal information. Since they requested nothing, and nothing was provided, it really doesn't matter to me if it was truly them or a false message, but I tend to believe it was legitimate.

If I feel like spending time on call waiting on Mon. perhaps I'll give them a call.

Edit: I just Googled the number and it comes back as having been used by the BATF in the past, so I'm convinced it was legit.

warning me of possible civil unrest, and reminding me to take appropriate steps to safeguard my firearms inventory, and my record book. They also reminded me to "remain vigilant" and report any burglaries or attempts, or missing inventory.

You probably didn't need a call to be vigilant and safeguard your stuff with rioting going on close but..I'll bet it's legit..good on them..

rule303 · May 31, 2020

I'm an 01 FFL in MN not too far from the cities. No phone call here. I get emails regularly from ATF if there has been thefts in the area, but never a call for anything but a trace request.

Axis II · May 31, 2020

What is a C&R license and why would they care?

AlexanderA · May 31, 2020

Axis II said:
What is a C&R license and why would they care?

It's a type of FFL that gives some dealership advantages to non-dealer gun collectors regarding (primarily) guns at least 50 years old.

As far as why ATF would make the effort to notify them, perhaps ATF thinks that C&R license holders, as amateurs, are not as on top of things as regular 01 FFL holders.

GEM · May 31, 2020

Is there an indication of this on their web site: https://www.atf.gov/firearms
As far as their phone number, that is easily spoofed. I've gotten calls from my own number.

Unless, someone calls them and finds out, or has direct knowledge of this being a true call, let this be for the moment.

Got a call from the BATF today....

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