Gun Dealer Hits Bloomberg on Sting Operation

[Waitone]

http://www.nysun.com/article/38864

Gun Dealer Hits Bloomberg on Sting Operation

By BRADLEY HOPE - Staff Reporter of the Sun
August 31, 2006

Mayor Bloomberg has been hit with another lawsuit in connection with his campaign to crack down on illegal guns.

A South Carolina gun dealer became the second storeowner to sue after Mr. Bloomberg targeted it a few months ago in an undercover sting operation designed to stymie illegal gun sales.

The lawsuit, filed in South Carolina, seeks damages and claims that the city smeared the storeowner's reputation.

Meanwhile, a gun dealer in Queens targeted by the city's investigators, Michael Spallone, 41, pleaded guilty yesterday to disorderly conduct. Mr. Bloomberg touted that plea as a victory, saying it sends a strong message that "any violation of the law that allows illegal guns to flow onto our streets will be vigorously pursued."

The punishment, a $1,000 fine, was a slap on the wrist compared to the year in prison City Hall said the dealer was facing when it announced the charges just a few months ago.

Two of the 15 gun dealers targeted by the mayor's sting operations have, however, accepted settlement deals with the city that mandate a special monitor audit their stores for the next three years, which was one of the goals the mayor pointed to when he announced the federal lawsuits.

The mayor's criminal justice coordinator, John Feinblatt, said in a statement: "These historic settlements are unprecedented. We expect that the others will follow the example of the two Georgia dealers, who willingly came to the table to negotiate a fair settlement that keeps them in business, keeps illegal guns off the street, and keeps them on the right side of the law."

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[alan]

See Hindsight in latest issue of Gun Week.

 

[gunsmith]

I hope more sue

I've called NYC politicritters to boast about having guns.
It doesn't fix anything but as a native new yawka, it makes me feel better.

 

[Bruce H]

Bloomberg doesn't need sued. Bloomberg needs a far more permanent solution.

 

[Old Fuff]

These dealer suits can cause His Honor da’ Mayor some problems. They have been filed in courts outside of his area of political influence, and as they go forward he will face a hard choice. He, or rather the City of New York can go into court and respond – taking a chance of taking an embarrassing loss, or ignore them and get hit with an equally embarrassing default judgment. All of this is an attempt by “Bloom-bomb” to make points in the media, particularly the media in New York, but it may backfire. His big mistake, other then the obvious, was not to turn the evidence over to the BATFE and let them handle it.

 

[tellner]

Bruce H, it's not exactly safe, legal or ethical to advocate the murder of public officials in a place that is almost certainly monitored by law enforcement. In a purely strategic sense it would be an even worse idea. Let's say Bloomberg is assassinated for his really egregious crimes against the RKBA. What happens about ten minutes after it hits the wires? Every single undecided person and a fair number of the gun owners will react with revulsion and horror. They will associate 2nd Ammendment advocates as murdering anarchists. Anyone who defends them or their cause will be tarred with the same brush.

 

[jondar]

I'm sure he didn't mean murder, he meant vote him out of office.

 

[Autolycus]

Would it be possible for gunstores in NYC to stop selling guns to Cops? I mean not as part of the sting but their offduty guns and backup guns? Or even their duty guns? No ammo. Just to show the city that they can play games as well?

 

[Cosmoline]

Shutting down the firearm and ammo supply to the NYPD would be a beautiful response, but unfortunately the dealers are nowhere near organized enough. Bloomberg is yet another anti-gun RINO from the empire state. Remember his actions if he tries to run for national office.

 

[Old Fuff]

Would it be possible for gunstores in NYC to stop selling guns to Cops?

Possibly, but it wouldn't matter. The police departments buy guns from manufacturers in big quantities, and it's unlikely the companies would turn down a chance for such a big piece of business. As for back-up or off-duty guns, the city would simply buy them and sell them back to individual officers. They could buy ammunition from in-state or out-of-state distributors.

Unfortunately the manufacturers put bucks in front of principals in a case like this.

Cosmoline is right. The probable consequences of what he's doing will probably kill his chances to play in national politics. But maybe he's happy being Mayor-for-life in New York City.

 

[tellner]

He could always end up as a Senator from or governor of New York. His policies would probably mean a net gain of votes.

 

[Bruce H]

Any citizen of the United States, either private or a politician that doesn't understand shall not be infringed deserves whatever the universe has in store for them.

 

[Lupinus]

Anything that can legally be done should be done. Sue him, sue the city of NY, legal action that could be done for their actions outside of their jurisdiction should be done also.