Who put the fix in on NICS checks?

[one-eyed fat man]

Feds Silent on How Convicted Felons Bought Guns in 'Operation Fast and Furious'

Fox News is reporting that two of the "straw men" buyers had felony convictions (not to mention outstanding warrants, an indictment, and other details, all of which would be barriers to buying firearms). Yet they managed to buy over three hundred firearms, and pass the background check. Arizona is very good about reporting prohibited persons to the Feds. The probability seems to be that someone "fixed" the background check system so these guys could keep buying arms and running them to criminals.

Since it is not the ATF but the FBI who conducts the NICS checks, I'd assume that'd require a high-level "fixer." That points the finger to someone high in the Justice Department, which is over both agencies. If this is correct, I think it's clearly aiding and abetting a felony, which makes those guilty liable for the felony itself. Passively observing a felony wouldn't cross that line. Coaxing reluctant dealers to make suspicious sales might cross it. But sabotaging the background check system so that illegal sales are approved is, I think, clearly over the line.

This is an allegation Congress really needs to investigate fully.

[ileus]

1. the ends justify the means....even if the ends turns out to be peoples lives.

You got to break an egg or two....amirite?

[beevul]

2. Remind the fox naysayers that our "colleagues" on the anti side use it when it suits them. N/T

[gravity556]

3. Some animals are more equal than others.

[friendly_iconoclast]

4. True dat, but I'd like to see a non-Murdochian source for this n/t

[Katya Mullethov]

8. How about Al Jazeera ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC42SDbKFYk

[friendly_iconoclast]

9. Obviously co-opted by the NRA and Republicans.

Hey, someone had to say it, it might as well be me! <sarcasm off>

[spin]

5. If the two men did have felony convictions either the NICS background system is broke ...

or the fix was in.

[AtheistCrusader]

10. Well...

Early reports indicated that some of the sellers called it in and said 'we don't think this is kosher', but they were told explicitly to go ahead with the sale, which might be expected for such a criminal investigation.

What is not expected, is what happens immediatley after the purchase. (The straw purchasers go merrily on their way and deliver the guns to who knows who.)

[Tejas]

6. Can you say "Accessory to Murder" or "Plotting to Overthrow a Foreign Government"?

Or with some of the F&F guns remaning here in-country, who knows what the ultimate charges could be?

[PuffedMica]

7. Standby to hear about 300 failures of the NICS system - only without the Fast and Furious reference

The 300 illegal sales will never be stricken from the record, even if the investigation reveals how they were accomplished. Over the next few years there will be claims by those who would like more restrictions on the private ownership of guns to claim the NICS system is flawed.

I can hear the reference to the 'facts' now: "But in one year the NICS system allowed over 300 firearm sales to convicted felons in Arizona alone! That is why we need even more and stricter laws regulating firearms right now."

[Katya Mullethov]

11. Darrel Issa stole a hot dog today !!

Meanwhile

3 hours worth of F&F hearings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ETDnGKR2c
ETA : a couple more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yen7xusqDGs&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z33Lntd4uzU&

Triple distilled weasel juice , by the shot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WANSbwmYlYI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAdav1YDuKo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZXCJaY1Oi8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIcLZZ0tqOs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAKXvgR7Aj4