Steve Y

Hi Valkyrie... I cannot disagree with anything you said. In fact, I wholeheartedly agree with you...

My concern is not with your average agent. Most I have met seem to be pretty nice guys. I don't think they are "out to get me," so to speak. However, I do fear the rogue SAC's and SES's that frequently get mentioned here on CUATF and in those ATF P.R. nightmares of the past (and present). What seems to be happening is that they keep getting promoted and tend to set the tone. You guys are the ones who have to dance on you toes while they constantly do whatever they feel like; laws and rights be damned...

I have no doubt that agents like yourself (and the others here) are actually in the majority... But it seems like your hands are tied. Your bosses (some) appear to be the ones who are destroying the rapport with the gun community. This is counterproductive at best, and promotes an adversarial atmosphere with the citizens who can best help you do your jobs. I know you are not the "enemy." However, I do know that some in your agency view me as the enemy and can/will/do use their authority to steamroll whomever they see fit to promote their agenda. And all we are left with is writing our congressman and hoping something happens.

Speaking of which, I have talked to my local congressman and have written my senator. It just saddens me that we are at the point where that is the best advice you can give.

Edited to add: Thanks for clarifying how things actually work... I think it is pretty obvious I am not familiar with how things work in your agency. The accounts I read are strictly from the news and secondhand reports from my dad. His experiences have been pretty good so far. A few years ago, he had one inspector (not agent, as it turns out ) who had this self-riotous air about himself that gave my dad the creeps. My dad keeps pretty good books, but this only seemed to piss this inspector off. It was like he was desperately trying to find something. Since then, his inspectors have been pretty cool, but he always makes it a point to be present as an "escort" for the entire review. His comment was that, "you never know what "memos" are rolling downhill."

Steve

This is the type of stuff that scares me. I am not any type of LEO... I am just your average shooting enthusiast and the son of a 25 year plus FFL. The capriciousness of some members of the ATF doesn't exactly give me the warm fuzzies (and they are the ones in charge, no less...). It would seem that my father and I stand to lose quite a bit based solely on the whims of the agent who happens to be reviewing the books that day.

I have spent fifteen years of my life serving in the military for THIS?!?

Kudos to those agents trying to turn things around. You have the support of us folks on the "other side of the line." I know you are risking much and appreciate your integrity.

Wish I could do more to help...

SY