ATF Propaganda Cartoons

[Spencer]

By the way, if you haven't eaten recently (or are a bulimic trying to trigger vomiting), please check out the following cartoons in the ATF's Online Learning Center "Theater" (my favorite is how happy and cooperative the gun shop owner is to hand over an original Form 4473 to Agent Gonzalez of the ATF -- that's Learning Theater 7: Working With Law Enforcemnt):

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/ffrrg/index.htm

Here's the script for my favorite episode (I've even highlighted my favorite part):

OFFICER GONZALES
Good afternoon. I?m Special Agent Adam Gonzales of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. I need to pick up an ATF Form 4473 in connection with a criminal investigation. Is Ted Lucas in today?

CARLA
Mr. Lucas, could you come out to the shop floor for a moment. There?s an ATF Agent here to speak with you.

MR. LUCAS
Agent Gonzales, I presume you?re here about the firearm that you mentioned on the phone; the one I sold last year. Do you need the original Form 4473 or will a copy suffice?

OFFICER GONZALES
I need the original please. It may serve as evidence if we decide to prosecute someone for criminally misusing the firearm.

MR LUCAS
Sure thing. I made a copy and set the original aside after our conversation.

Here?s the original.

OFFICER GONZALES
Thanks, and here is a receipt for the original Form 4473 that I?m taking.

CARLA
Wow Mr. Lucas, we actually let someone from outside the company take our records like that?

MR. LUCAS
Oh sure. It?s the law and it?s his job, so there is no cause for alarm. In the future, just remember that any ATF officer may, in certain circumstances, inspect our inventory, records, and other documentation. This includes our Form 4473s, NICS background check records, and Receipt and Disposition Records.

Additionally, we may receive a phone call from an ATF specialist requesting a ?gun trace.? If you receive such a request, please consult your shift supervisor immediately, since we are required to provide trace information to ATF within 24 hours of the request.

CARLA
So, an ATF officer can take records and not just examine them?

MR. LUCAS
Yes, in certain circumstances. An ATF officer can take records that constitute material evidence of a violation of law. We can retain a copy, or copies of records taken will be provided to us by ATF within reasonable time.

CARLA
Now I understand the importance of keeping our records up-to-date and available at all times.

MR LUCAS
Precisely. The better our records, the easier it is for us to help the ATF officials find what they need and the smoother things go. Think of it this way: the records belong to Western Arms, like any other business record, but ATF has a legal right to inspect our records and to take them when needed as evidence of a crime. We simply fill them out and look after them according to Federal law.

NARRATOR
Remember that any ATF officer may, in certain circumstances, inspect inventory, records, and other documentation during business hours. Also, if you ever receive a phone call requesting a gun trace from any ATF specialist, consult your shift supervisor immediately.

[error]

"Now I understand the importance of keeping our records up-to-date and available at all times."

Yes, because the ATF has a LOT more guns.

[aries]

This is so gay it's not even funny.

"Oh, good, because I intend to go to the range on a weekly basis" said in some monotonic voice.

... and FFL's or non-FFL's never EVER check ID for ammo, haha. (Except wal-mart)

[Dan]

"Now I understand the importance of keeping our records up-to-date and available at all times."

Yes, because the ATF has a LOT more guns.

chuckle-out-loud

[KurtDaBear]

Please remember, there is no "ATF;" it's the BATFE.  Oddly enough, everything it's tasked to pursue is legal, which may be why they have to work overtime to create a little excitement from time to time, as in Waco.

[KBCraig]

Point noted about the "B" and "E", Kurt.

(Hey, that's a good line: "They used to just be the ATF, but now they've added B&E!"  )

But for practical matters, everyone, including bATFe themselves, still refers to the agency as "ATF", even after they moved from Treasury to Justice.

Kevin