How hard is it to get a Federal Firearm License? Apparently, more trouble than it should be. Read this woman’s account of asking governmental permission to conduct legitimate business:

On 2/24/04 at 9:10 am, arriving at the door, were 2 ATF inspectors, Casimir Mleczko and Nicholas Garlie. After showing me their identification, I seated them in an office that I had set up for my interview. Also present was the General Manager of our paint and drywall business. I had asked him earlier to be present during my interview. I was immediately informed by Mr. Mleczko that he will only conduct my interview if I was alone with him and Mr. Garlie. ( I later was informed by my attorney that this is not a requirement and is a violation of my rights.)

I questioned him as to why this was required and his response was that due to the privacy act, ATF was not allowed to discuss any information with anyone. (The privacy act is written for my privacy and not theirs) He stated that our manager could not be present due to the fact that during the course of my interview there may be “issues discussed about my husband’s business”. That statement revealed his intent to violate my husband’s privacy, which would have been in direct violation of the Privacy Act of 1974. I indicated that I preferred that our manager remain during the interview. I asked Mr. Mleczko what issues related to my husband’s business had anything to do with MY application. He did not answer this but responded that our manager could not be present as he (Mr. Mleczko) might discuss tax issues. Tax issues are not related to the application process, and since I obviously would not have tax issues yet, that statement revealed his intent to discuss my husband’s business, again intending to violate his rights under the Privacy Act.

As with most things involving bureaucrats, retain a lawyer. It is ponderous why the ATF agents want you alone. I guess they don’t want any pesky witnesses contradicting their reports.

Posted in uncategorized on March 11th, 2004 by SayUncle | RSS 2.0 |