'Gunwalker' guns linked to helicopter shooting

[PieIsAwesome]

CBS News has learned that the recent case of a Mexican military helicopter forced to land after it was fired upon is linked to the ATF Fast and Furious "gunwalker" operation.

Drug cartel suspects on the ground shot at Mexican government helicopters two weeks ago in western Mexico, forcing one chopper to land. Authorities seized more than 70 assault rifles and other weapons from the suspects.

Among the seized weapons are guns sold to suspects as part of the ATF sting operation, sources say. That information came from traces of serial numbers.

. . .

But many of the allegedly walked weapons have shown up at crimes such as the Mexican helicopter incident, and the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry; most have never been recovered.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20069270-10391695.html

Looks like that plan wasn't such a great idea. Wonder who is up for the chopping block. :whiste:

 

[wuliheron]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20069270-10391695.html

Looks like that plan wasn't such a great idea. Wonder who is up for the chopping block. :whiste:

You mean it looks like the publicity is bad and they need a scape goat. How many other guns they've sold over the years is what I'd like to know

 

[werepossum]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20069270-10391695.html

Looks like that plan wasn't such a great idea. Wonder who is up for the chopping block. :whiste:

It was a great idea if the intent was to drum up support for additional gun control. Otherwise, not so much.

 

[Triumph]

I remember watching a show on CNN or some similar program, discussing the problems in Mexico in general, hosted by Lisa Ling. Of course they had their 5 minute expose on where the guns were coming from (U.S., they claimed). A member of the Mexican police force held up several examples such as M4's and even an M2 50 cal IIRC, showing the inscription "US GOVERNMENT PROPERTY". Then they went on to talk to some gun stores near the border, and some gun shows, etc. Of course they never said that those guns labeled US GOVERNMENT PROPERTY were stolen or acquired somehow through the US GOVERNMENT.

 

[Zebo]

Wait a minute... so the federal government was telling dealers to sell guns to prohibited persons and straw purchases so they could make their way to Mexico? WTF are they thinking? And what were dealers thinking breaking the law no matter who said it?

 

[airdata]

You mean it looks like the publicity is bad and they need a scape goat. How many other guns they've sold over the years is what I'd like to know

It's the same as the drugs. You can cut off the drug supply from mexico but people are going to get the drugs some way anyhow.

The war on drugs effectively creates the demand for guns because the cartels need to protect their investments that are only possible because of the prohibition of drugs.

If drug laws were more lax, there would be no profit to be made for the cartels.

 

[Darwin333]

Wait a minute... so the federal government was telling dealers to sell guns to prohibited persons and straw purchases so they could make their way to Mexico? WTF are they thinking? And what were dealers thinking breaking the law no matter who said it?

Because the ATF instructed them to do so. I would imagine that if you wish to remain in the business of selling guns that when the ATF says jump you jump. Not to mention they were likely told that they were assisting a Federal investigation in which case they thought they were doing the right thing.

 

[Scotteq]

Wait a minute... so the federal government was telling dealers to sell guns to prohibited persons and straw purchases so they could make their way to Mexico? WTF are they thinking? And what were dealers thinking breaking the law no matter who said it?

The intent was to follow/trace the weapons and arrest the ringleaders. However, being an agency of our "highly efficient" government, they duly and thoroughly Fucked Away the entire project.

I'm normally a supporter of Law Enforcement, but in this case I sincerely hope these assholes get *every* *single* *inch* of judicial cock the courts see fit to give them.

 

[waggy]

the program was just fucking stupid. I am amazed someone actually OK'd it.