OK, so that means the ATF ALREADY traced back these guns and are going to visit the people who bought them and ask them how they ended up in Mexico...
Actually this report doesn't say they are going to those people and asking them why their guns wound up in Mexico, they are going to people who have made multiple purchases and asking them where the guns are.
That's not really the same thing. This is a "prove you are innocent" type of investigation, not a "we have evidence you are connected to a crime and we would like more info".
If a gun I sold ended up in Mexico and the ATF came knocking I'd lawyer up and all that, but I would admit that yes indeed they are following a lead.
That is not what's going on here. These agents are visiting people who have done nothing more than purchase multiple handguns in a week. That is not a crime, it is not in and of itself connected to a crime.
That's not 'following a lead' or 'enforcing existing laws' since there is no crime.
Let's say I buy 5 handguns in a week and sell them all over a period of a few weeks to various buyers at local gun shows. That's legal. I am also not required to keep a paper trail on the disposition of those guns since I am not a dealer.
So ATF comes knocking, I decide to be a "good guy" and invite them in to answer their questions.
"Did you buy 5 handguns"
"Yes"
"Can we see them?"
"No, I sold them"
"Who did you sell them to?"
"No idea, some guys at a gunshow. They showed me a CHL but I didn't write any names down. They paid me cash"
Now what? No crime committed, no law broken.
What do you think will happen next?