Vid Of ATFU Hearings

Of Arms & the Law has a post up with this link to a video clip of the ATFU hearings. At least the first part of them. It's about an hour & 20 minutes long & deals with the allegations made by the gun show operator, a firearms dealer & an NRA hired investigator.

Aside from the details of racial discrimination (which may not be anything new with the ATFU) a couple of things were interesting - in a morbid sort of way. They spent quite a bit of time talking about the "good" the ATFU had done in "reducing gun related crime". Also they spent a while discussing closing the "gun show loophole" with an firearms dealer at least partially agreeing that record keeping requirements should apply to non-dealers.

So I see that as a sign that despite their crimes the ATFU will recieve a slap on the wrist. I also see a push for closing the "gun show loophole" coming at some point from the House. I could be wrong; it could just be one representative wanting to push it, but with a firearms dealer not outright opposing her & even partially agreeing then that might sway enough for a majority.

The next hearing is supposed to be on the 28th of February. That's when the ATFU will be present & answering questions. A whole bunch of difficult questions I'd hope. But there's no listing of it in the committee schedule for that day. If it turns out to be a closed hearing then my cynicism towards a desirable outcome will not be eased.

Update: via Say Uncle there's a link to the written statement of the firearms dealer I spoke of earlier in this post.

Posted by Publicola at February 21, 2006 07:20 AM | TrackBack