This smells of clandestine gunwalking. There's a federal government snitch somewhere in this, I'd bet a bottle of Bushmill's Irish Whiskey on it.
Owner of Lynnwood gun shop unsure about 100 weapons stolen in 2010.
In March 2010, thieves struck a Lynnwood gun shop, making off with nearly 100 handguns.
At the time, Lynnwood police joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in asking the public for tips leading to anyone responsible.
Later that spring, they said no arrests had been made, and none of the guns had been recovered.
Now, more than a year and a half later, investigators won't discuss the case. It's not clear what happened to all the stolen weapons or if arrests ever were made.
Lynnwood police referred all questions to federal investigators. An ATF spokeswoman said they do not discuss ongoing cases.
The burglary was reported at Lynnwood Gun & Ammunition along Highway 99.
None of the guns were ever returned to the business, owner Randy Ketchum said. He heard rumors of what happened, but he doesn't know if anyone ever was held responsible.
He believes some of the guns were recovered, but he said a federal firearms-tracing official told him that if the serial numbers were removed, there was little they could do.
17 comments:
Maybe Holder and Co. have opened a Guns 'R Us franchise on our northern border. Why should our Mexican friends have all the fun - shouldn't the Canadians get the same lovin?'
If this is indeed clandestine gunwalking, I'm sure the OIG will get to the bottom of it in another year or ten. In the meantime, no one can say anything - it's an ongoing investigation, you know.
A department doesn't even need funding if they are allowed to steal guns (gov't-controlled private-property) from FFL's.
Will the Praetorian Guard announce an auction for the seat of Emperor next? Will Field Marshall Holder become a Know-Nothing Caesar operated by remote control as a stuttering puppet?
Mike, you don't bet Bushmills unless there's NO chance of losing...
...or was that your point?
Correct me if I am in error, but didn't the FBI or some such brag about how they have the technology to 'read' filed off serial numbers?
Now this was back in the seventies, I believe, and the statement was in connection with some gang weapons seized during an investigation.
One has to wonder about the store alarm and how long it takes to get 100 hand guns out the door and loaded. From the time the alarm went off and was reported to police, is a worthy question. No question the alarm company knew it was a gun store and needed to report it at once. They could always issue a call off but no question they knew it had to be reported ASP. The time line is a wonder in how long it took police to arrive.
In all fairness this whole matter could be a string of comical errors that could leave some high officials red faced.
How ironic, a local gun shop was robbed a year or two ago by some kids. Defendant Joe Stutsman's Mother swears up & down another party put them up to it and that other party works for the FBI as an informant.
http://www.justice.gov/usao/ks/PressReleases/2010/jun/June08a.html
Suckers bet. 100 guns don't just disappear without help. The (non-govt)criminal element couldn't keep at least some of them from turning up in the two yrs hence.
RNV11B is correct about being able to retrieve stamped serial numbers and I seem to recall the FBI announcing it in the late 70's. Of course, they lie so much, it was probably a ploy to get an increase in their budget. Both the ATF and FBI have a license to kill, so knocking off a gunshop here and there is not even considered a crime.
Not much of a Bushmill's fan Mike. I prefer Jameson and I really like the Kilbeggan which is quite reasonable and very tasty and smooth. Of course I have tried the Michael Collins Blended and have yet to try the Single Malt. The blend is good but the Kilbeggan is about the same .... from the same distillery. Kilbeggan is cheaper.
As far as gunwalker .... I'm starting to glaze over a bit, looks like I called it right that nobody goes to jail and somebody gets a promotion .... eerily like Waco. I guess roasting Christians is on par with dead Mexicans .... who'd a thunk it ......
Does the name ATF SAC Kelvin Crenshaw ring a bell?
http://www.heraldnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100505/NEWS01/705059813&template=PrinterFriendly
Crenshaw was involved with this case. He may be best known to threepers as the guy behind seizing airsoft toys last year. He has an unusually checkered record at ATF. He was promoted directly from SAC to Assistant Director (there are several ADs), skipping over the DAD position, and he headed up OPR (="internal affairs"). He was a miserable failure at that, was caught with his hands in the till, and was demoted back to his old SAC job in 2009.
Tons of stuff about him on CUATF, or ask your insiders. Among other things he has 'pencil whipped' his weapons qualification.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Kelvin+Crenshaw+site:cleanupatf.org
Two things about Crenshaw: (1) he loves to be on camera, and (2) his on-camera appearances usually expose his below-average intellect. News stations often do multiple takes with him to try to make him look good.
There are persistent rumors he was walking guns in WA and OR, and using recovered thefts (or staging thefts) would be one way to support that policy.
not to mention the fact that a week or so ago the sportco in fife here in washington state was broken into and a similar amount of firearms were taken.....so far 3 have been recovered from what the news says if you can believe that
While we're on the subject, a quick search suggests that only three of the weapons stolen from LAPD (under verrrrry in-ter-esting circumstances) have been recovered.
Cops used to use acid on Harley cases to bring back ground off numbers.
I can't believe ATF isn't aware of the technique. Maybe they really are that dumb.
RVN11B, SWIFT AND COWBOYDAN are correct. Filed off serial numbers can be legibly read through the acid method and xray. The ATF statement they can't tell because numbers were filed off is a copout. The ATF doesn't want to find who stole the pistols, cause they would find the criminals staring back at them in the mirror.
wow, a bottle of Bushmills, you must know you are right!
Bushmill's Irish Whiskey? This is the second time a whiskey I'm not familiar with has been mentioned here.
This was the other brand:
http://www.engrish.com/2008/12/this-stuff-is-nasty/
Would any one care to compare/contrast/recommend between the two?
I pretty much stick to "Wild Turkey" Bourbon or "Glenlivet" Scotch but there exists the possibility I may be in a rut. Any printable suggestions?
Anonymous asked
"Would any one care to compare/contrast/recommend between the two?" and "Any printable suggestions?"
Try Tullamore Dew - the #2 Irish whiskey worldwide. The malted barley is not toasted over a peat fire so the whiskey lacks the smokiness. An enclosed kiln is used instead. Both malted and unmalted barley are used, giving a unique barley aroma and taste. The whiskey is triple distilled. Tullamore Dew's Website gives a lot of information on how Irish whiskey compares to similar product from Scotland, Canada and the U.S.
http://www.tullamoredew.com/default_main.asp
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