Vermont: "ATF Cracks Down On Illegal Gun Possession"

[cuchulainn]

from WPTZ (Champlain NY)

http://www.thechamplainchannel.com/news/2654066/detail.html

ATF Cracks Down On Illegal Gun Possession

ATF Agent: It's Crime Control, Not Gun Control

POSTED: 8:52 p.m. EST November 20, 2003

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Federal law enforcement officials are calling a new program to crack down on the illegal possession of guns in Vermont crime control, not gun control.

Police said the goal of Project Safe Neighborhoods -- PSN -- is to get guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them in the first place. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent David Campbell said lots of guns are moving in and out of Vermont quickly. He said the weapons are used almost like a form of currency.

"There is a major concern about people dealing drugs and using drugs being in the state, and coming into the state for the purpose of possessing firearms," Campbell said. "It's not an epidemic yet, like it would be in New York City or some other major urban areas, but it's something we're beginning to see and PSN will help to stem that tide."

"We have a tremendous history of responsible gun ownership in this state, but you know the saying, a few bad apples can spoil the barrel," said Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell.

Campbell said PSN focuses on anyone convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor for domestic violence or anyone with an active restraining order against them. He said the program would also help reduce the gun trafficking.

"We're not trying to take guns off the streets," Campbell said. "We're trying to take crime guns off the streets."
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Copyright 2003 by TheChamplainChannel.com.

 

[Mark Tyson]

Campbell said PSN focuses on anyone convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor for domestic violence or anyone with an active restraining order against them. He said the program would also help reduce the gun trafficking.

A misdemeanor? Is that like slapping someone?

 

[ksnecktieman]

Mark? As far as the nics check, and the ATF is concerned if you slap your spouse you can not buy a gun.

 

[Erik]

"A misdemeanor? Is that like slapping someone?"

Maybe. I may also be destroying property, shoving, pulling hair, making threats, or other behavior deemed domestic violence by a given state which does not quite add up to felonious behavior.

 

[jimpeel]

"We're not trying to take guns off the streets," Campbell said. "We're trying to take crime guns off the streets."

You can tell the difference. The "crime guns" are the ones with the big orange "CRIME GUN" label.

 

[submin]

He said the program would also help reduce the gun trafficking.

Then it is gun control. Liar.

 

[El Tejon]

In Vermont? Is this an issue? Are the squirrel up to no good?

Sounds like someone is gunning (pun intended) for a bigger budget via press conference.

 

[Frank5]

hmmmmmm

I guess evil people don't possess guns in any of the other 49 states. & since Vermont's crime rate is so high they feel the need to crack down there.

Because we have no problem with illeagal immigration or no terrorist threat,it's good that they are up in the crime ridden state of Vermont looking for guns. I feel safe now.

 

[Sodbuster]

There is a major concern

Not on my part. Must be Campbell's concern. You have to wonder at the sly way he links drugs and guns. But then, don't "they" all do that?

 

[jimpeel]

The fact is that they must make an example of the only -- well, used to be only -- state that has no firearms restrictions on possession and carry. This will show them what a HUGE problem exists there and how only intervention from the federal government, and enaction of prohibitive firearms restrictions, can save them.

 

[Standing Wolf]

They should take the criminals off the streets and leave the guns alone.

 

[Fred Thompson]

Well, why not? I mean, look how well some of the other federal programs work...
One of the sadder things is, that the state A.G. seems to be willing to stand aside and let it happen.

 

[Waitone]

I was not aware of a gun related crime wave washing over Vermont.

Do we have a solution searching for a problem? Maybe we have a federal agency looking for a mission.