<goa alert> BATFE inscribing leathermens w/ "Always think forfeiture"

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Prometheus

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Rep. Bill Sali To Government Agency:
"Always Think Freedom"

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Friday, June 6, 2008


Representative Bill Sali is introducing a bill to send a message to
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(BATFE) that freedom still means something in this country.

As part of its Asset Forfeiture training program for agents, the
BATFE ordered 2,000 Leatherman tools inscribed with the words
"Always Think Forfeiture." The program urges agents to focus
on seizing private property.

Rep Sali believes the agency should be thinking 'Freedom,' not
'Forfeiture.' The Idaho Republican complained about the program
and recieved a letter from Acting ATF Director Michael Sullivan,
who apologized for the "confusion" over the issue.

While Rep. Sali appreciated the apology, he said that, "My
constituents deserve to know the truth about this marketing program,
which has been interpreted by many Idahoans as anti-gun and
anti-private property."

The agency halted distribution of the tools in the face of public
outcry, but "[t]he fact remains that the ATF thought it was OK to
think 'Always Think Forfeiture' instead of focusing on
protecting our constitutional rights," Sali said.

In a letter to his fellow Congressmen, Sali noted that "the inscription
raises serious concerns to law-abiding citizens as to the intent of an
ATF agent who is performing investigations, particularly with
respect to law-abiding gun owners."

Rep. Sali plans to introduce the 'Always Think Freedom' bill
sometime next week. The bill will prohibit the agency from
making purchases of tool kits "on which any reminder of
forfeiture appears."

Action: Please urge your Representative to become an original
cosponsor of the "Always Think Freedom Act."

You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your Rep. the
pre-written e-mail message below.


----- Pre-written letter -----

Dear Representative:

I urge you to become an original co-sponsor of Rep. Bill Sali's
"Always Think Freedom" bill, which will be introduced shortly.

As part of its Asset Forfeiture training program for agents, the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
ordered 2,000 Leatherman tools inscribed with the words
"Always Think Forfeiture." The program urges agents to focus
on seizing private property.

The agency, which has been the frequent subject of
congressional inquiry into its heavy-handed law enforcement
tactics, should focus on protecting our Constitutional rights.

Rep. Sali's bill will simply prohibit the agency from making
purchases of tool kits "on which any reminder of forfeiture
appears."

Please support this bill by signing on as an original
cosponsor.

Sincerely,


****************************
 
Rep. Sali's bill will simply prohibit the agency from making
purchases of tool kits "on which any reminder of forfeiture
appears."

is that really all the bills for?

last time i checked Lugers didnt have "exterminate the jews" writen on them. the focus should be on training not whats carved into an object.
 
Wheeler44 goes into daydream mode..................

A large pile of 20000 leatherman tools laid out on Pennsylvania Av......
A steamroller idling in the background.........
Cheering Americans on both side of the road........
The steamroller starts rolling over the inscribed tools....
The crowd goes wild............

Wheeler44 wakes up...and says to himself......that'll never happen...
 
This bill is NEW....it is in response to the ATF Leatherman, and all the complaints he, and other Pols got from their constituents.
At least it's a beginning....
 
"The bill will prohibit the agency from
making purchases of tool kits "on which any reminder of
forfeiture appears." "

This bill strikes me as a nearly total waste of time and paper. Why limit the purchase restrictions to tool kits?

Does it prevent the agency from purchasing guns engraved with the word forfeiture? How about belt buckles? Coffee cups? Letterhead paper? Pencils? Badges?

Doesn't this country have more pressing problems than micromanaging tool kits?

John
 
BATFE isn't about protecting constitutional rights... if the constitution was followed in the least, ATF wouldn't exist.

The GOA wants to focus on this???

How about a bill to abolish ATFE?

Amen, brudda.

Wes
 
If the ATF has already had the Leatherman's delivered, and want to get rid of them - as a courtesy, I am offering my "disposal" services free of charge because I'm just that nice of a guy.

If you are an ATF agent, and need info for where to send the Leatherman's - PM me and I'll gladly help.
 
ooh.... better idea.

How about us THR'ers get our own bulk purchase of Leatherman Waves and have them inscribed with "Always think 'more ammo.'"
 
I'd buy one.

it would be a nice collector's piece.
Seriously!

But in reality, this bill is ridiculous. How about a bill FIRING all the poeple in the agency who think the attitude expressed by "Always Think Forfeiture" is OK? or who think its Ok to spend tax dollars on something so insulting to the citizenry whose taxes paid for them?

At least they were finally being honest: making no excuse for their true purpose- to enlarge the coffers of government.

C-

p.s on a semi-related note, at least one other agency is creating a new motto with the same acronym as their original name. I have a nifty kitchen magnet from the FBI which reads "Fidelity Bravery Integrity".

I wonder if there are any others?
 
"Always Think Forfeiture" is an phrase that I have seen on swag given out to at least three federal agencies that I can recall of of the top of my head whose duties include the prospect of civil forfeitures.
 
This might be the wrong place to ask.
I bought an unused Norinco SKS about three months ago from a really nice guy. He inherited the perfect (condition) rifle when his father passed away.

There was no bayonet on it. I understand only a little of the AWB, being a novice with guns, in a practical sense. From what I've read about just a few interpretations regarding imported rifles, the ATF should be dissolved:D, or given a new logo-the hammer and sickle-then exported to London or Beijing, to be based in Tienaman Square...

Is it complicated to find out whether a bayonet can be added?
The rest of my small, dependable tribe: Mini 14, 30, M44 plus the ancient Savage .22.
 
If the ATF has already had the Leatherman's delivered, and want to get rid of them - as a courtesy, I am offering my "disposal" services free of charge because I'm just that nice of a guy.
Ooh! Ooh! Even better-they should have to forfeit them to the FFLs they investigate!
Poetic justice!:neener:
 
Several years ago there was a story on "Sixty Minutes" regarding the then BATF and several female agents with various complaints.

The opinion at that time was that the BATF has too many wide discretionary powers. Like any bureau or agency, when there are few watchdogs there's ample room for abuses.

After watching the story (yes, I realize the liberal bent) it occurred to me that nothing the BATF was doing couldn't be done by existing law enforcement. For example, what faction of research is the BATF doing that the FBI couldn't easily handle.

In fact, why isn't the BATF folded into the FBI with a formal hierarchy, a reporting process and a systematic policy of review?

Nothing legitimate done in the field would be compromised, but I'll bet the abuses would stop.
 
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