Veritas

IKE: My understanding of is that the funding that supplies those give aways comes either from the program direct budget where monies are appropriated for such purchases or from the general DOJ asset forfeiture account. When ATF/DEA/FBI/USMS seize assets from criminals they are placed in this general fund which the contributing agencies can utilize to pay for training, contractors, investigative expenses, etc. Just wanted to correct something that I stated before about firearm tracing. I stated e-trace provided the investigator with last known possessor. What I should have said was that e-trace provides that last "over the counter purchaser". I still think that firearm tracing is a great tool for federal, state and local police investigators. It has helped me in the past and continues to identify potential firearm traffickers.

At least Mueller is being honest and its so funny because its so true. I heard FBI agents are evaluated on their ability to cultivate 2 sources per month. Thats all they want them to do. Investigations of crimes is not a priority. I have heard some say that they wished the FBI would take over ATF's jurisdiction becuase they think they would act better. Have you ever heard of the proverb that you should be careful what you wish for you may just get it and good luck.

Here is a few ways to save $$$. 1: Get rid of SATO or Carson-Wagonlit or whatever the travel service is. Whats the fee 30 bucks every time you travel? And additional fees if you have to change your travel plans. What a scam. Agents could make their own travel plans better, cheaper and more efficently and save millions for US taxpayers. 2: Get rid of the stupid assessment center. What a joke and what a waste of money. Give a standard test and then do a panel interview if you make the BQL. The way it is right now SOME agents who belong to certain associations get the AC cheat sheet or get special training by the test makers to help them score better. ATF spent MILLIONS on this flawed selection process. Another knee jerk reaction to a lawsuit and another abject failure. We are so screwed up because of the knuckleheads we promote. I have known many great agents who did not pass the test or scored low. They dont move up the knucklehead does and maybe thats why we are allowing guns to walk into mexico.

Old Guy: Sounds like your friend did not exercise his right to take the matter into federal district court. I would have advised him of his right to do that and thereby be able to subpoena ATF personnel and records for defense of his license. Making a false written statement is a federal crime. Did he contact DOJ OIG? The US Attorney's office in his judicial district? Can you explain why he did not exercise his right to take the matter into federal district court?

IKE: You ask some valid questions. Example: A firearm is recovered by local police on the side of I-95. They run it in NCIC with negative result and have no other info on the firearm. E trace exists so that local police can find out the last known lawful possessor of the gun. Again it does not mean that the last lawful possessor did anything criminal, just a lead to follow. Maybe it was stolen but for some reason the owner did not record the serial number? Its hard to find a gun without a unique identifier like a serial #. Maybe by tracing it it could be returned to the rightful owner. Probably a good reason to trace the gun. Do you agree? There is also a NCIC code that is attached to each trace indicating in what type of situation that LE came into possession of the firearm. According to the Tiahart amendment trace data is restricted to LE for legit investigative purposes. I agree with you that I would not trust Mexican LE and would restrict their access to etrace. I dont even know if they have access to e-trace. However that decision is way above my paygrade. I dont think that LE personnel need to be told by a disclaimer that trace info is just information. They teach the definition of probable cause in every police academy in the US and your name on a trace report is not PC.