Going from tax to spend?
Liberal think tank (isn’t that on oxymoron? Should be a feel tank): Merge ATF into the FBI
Liberal think tank (isn’t that on oxymoron? Should be a feel tank): Merge ATF into the FBI
Remember, I do this to entertain me, not you.
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May 20th, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Whatever, so long as we end up with a civillian security force that’s just as powerful, just as well equipped, just as well funded and just as well trained as the military, we’re golden.
May 20th, 2015 at 7:49 pm
I know there are many pro-gun people who say that merging the ATF into the FBI would hurt gun-rights. Perhaps.
Perhaps I would agree with that sentiment, back in 1995. Back then gun-rights were seriously threatened and in retreat at the Federal level. But in 2015? Today gun-rights are advancing even in anti-gun strongholds like Chicago. Today I think abolishing the ATF supports liberty in several ways.
First, I doubt the FBI will place harassment of gun-rights high on their priority list, because of all the other numerous responsibilities that compete for FBI attention. Just as the FBI used to place low priority on counter-intelligence back in the 1980’s (which led to some embarrassing scandals). In contrast with the ATF, where screwing with us is job one.
Secondly, with the death of the ATF, we provide an explicit example of bureaucratic death to civil servants who might attack gun-rights.
Third, this change would give watchdogs who already keep an eye on the FBI an incentive to join forces with the NRA. It might even prompt the national ACLU into finally admitting the 2nd Amendment has real power.
The real key to understanding if merging the ATF is good or bad for gun-rights? See how enthusiastic or resistant FBI management is to the proposed changes. If the FBI is in favor, it’s probably bad for us. If the FBI is against it, it’s probably very good for us!
May 20th, 2015 at 11:45 pm
It would work just fine, provided they fire all the BATFE agents first.
That culture is just too toxic to continue.
May 21st, 2015 at 8:52 am
The argument I’ve heard is that the FBI is far too competent at coverups and that folding the ATF into them won’t result in fewer scandals, but less whistleblowing.
Honestly, I’d just axe the lot of them and start over.
May 21st, 2015 at 12:37 pm
better yet, get rid of the ATF and don’t replace it with anything.
May 21st, 2015 at 1:49 pm
I find it quite disconcerting that the article suggests multiple times that the ATF has their hands tied by congressional restrictions on funding and certain regulatory actions they cannot take. This is clearly a veiled reference to establishing a national gun registry, and it is implied that moving ATF responsibilities to the FBI would free them up to establish such a registry with out any roadblocks t the FBI. I call shenanigans.
May 21st, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Yes! What Doc said. Re-assign ATF personnel to the Border Patrol and tell’em to treat illegal immigrants like they once did into U.S. Citizens.
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Ron W.: Wouldn’t work. They would just collect bribes to allow law breaking. The same thing the BATFE did when they were the Prohibition agency in the ’30s.