Thread: Firearms from ATF's Fast and Furious found U.S. crime scenes

BELTWAY GUNRUNNERS

Weapons sent 'walking' by feds linked to more violence

Firearms from ATF's 'Fast and Furious' found at crime scenes inside U.S.

Posted: August 17, 2011
2:55 pm Eastern
By Michael Carl
© 2011 WND



The Los Angeles Times is reporting today that guns purchased as part of the federal government's "Operation Fast and Furious" have been found at the scene of 11 more violent crimes. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 2514.story

The ATF didn't provide specific details on the crimes, but revealed that Phoenix, Ariz., was one of the crime scenes where the guns turned up. Other Fast and Furious guns were recovered from a crime scene in El Paso, Texas.

The Times report said 42 weapons have been recovered at the crime scenes in Phoenix and El Paso.

The federal program reportedly was set up to allow guns to be purchased by unapproved buyers in the United States who were suspected of having plans to move the weapons into Mexico to be used in the drug lords war. Authorities allege they planned to follow the movement of the weapons as part of their investigation. However, there was no effective method of tracking the weapons outside the United States, and the program collapsed when one of the weapons sold under the program was found at the scene of the shooting death of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry.

Gun Owners of America President Larry Pratt http://www.goa.org/ says the related crimes are only going to grow.

"We know that probably 2,000 guns were left to walk, many of them were taken to Mexico," he said. "Many others are turning up at crimes in Arizona as well. I think we're going to see these numbers rise."

The report comes only days after the announcement that three ATF field agents who have been involved in Fast and Furious were promoted. http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/news/feds-w ... c_14586928

William G. McMahon, the ATF's deputy director of operations in the region; William D. Newell, a field supervisor who coordinated the program; and David Voth, another field supervisor, were given promotions to high ranking positions in the ATF's Washington, D.C., offices.

McMahon was named on Sunday as deputy assistant director in the agency's office of professional responsibility; Newell was named special assistant to the assistant director in the agency's office of management; and Voth became branch chief for the ATF's tobacco division in Washington.

Pratt said that the men have already demonstrated their disregard for the law.

"All of them are perjurers. That will probably be dealt with over the course of time. [U.S. Rep. Darrell] Issa is still gathering information," he said..

Pratt said it's confirmation of the military phrase that, "If you mess up, you move up."

"The guys that blew the whistle, two of them have been forced out, so this agency is completely perverse," Pratt added.

One of the whistleblowers who has been forced to resign was Darren Gil, who also testified at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on July 26. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=326777

It's the promotions and the cover-up that lead Pratt to say that Issa, the committee chairman, should turn his sights a little higher.

"I'm hoping he will still seek a bill of impeachment for a certain assistant attorney general in the Justice Department," Pratt said.

"There should shortly be enough evidence to appoint a special prosecutor," he added.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=334709

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