Gun Traffickers Indicted After Three Month Investigation

[struggle4progress]

Two men who allegedly operated a Florida-to-New York gun trafficking ring were indicted today after selling more than 40 guns to undercover cops, worth more than $40,000. The 105-count indictment charges Watson Joachin, 27, and Ryan Woodard, 22, with selling weapons including 28 semi-automatic pistols, six revolvers, three assault rifles, four sawed-off shotguns, and five rifles. Most of the guns were purchased at pawn shops and gun shows in Florida, then sold fully loaded in Brooklyn. "We'll accept oranges from the sunshine state but not guns," Commissioner Kelly told reporters today.

Kelly was joined at the press conference by Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes and Mayor Bloomberg, who said that "even though we've cut crime to historic lows, children like Vada Vasquez are still getting shot on our streets." Bloomberg also blamed "extremists in the pro-gun movement" for the nation's lax gun laws, City Room reports. The announcement of the bust just so happened to coincide with today's "Day of Outrage" over gun violence, including a candlelit vigil for Vasquez, who has just emerged from a medically-induced coma after taking a stray bullet to the head in the Bronx last week ...

http://gothamist.com/2009/11/23/gun_traffickers_indicted_after_thre.php

[krispos42]

1. Good.

Very good.

[cowcommander]

2. No problem here

The proper laws are being enforced

[Katya Mullethov]

3. Only 90 days ?

Cavalry Arms , 634 days sans charges .

And yet another friendly reminder about that which goes 'round .

[one-eyed fat man]

4. "40 guns worth more than $40,000"

Looking at what's displayed on the table, most of those guns would fetch only a between 300 and 600 bucks NEW at retail. If criminals in New York are really willing to pay a 1000 bucks for a $500 gun it is small wonder other crooks would be willing to provide them.

[slackmaster]

5. Good. Please explain how this topic is appropriate for the Guns forum.

"Discussion of gun-related public policy issues or the use of firearms for self-defense belong in the Guns Forum."

[struggle4progress]

7. If you think gun-smuggling is not appropriate to the forum, do feel free to ask mods to move or lock

In my view, government acts always have an intrinsic nexus with public policy -- but (of course) you are perfectly entitled to consider that public policy means something unrelated to real or potential government acts, should you so choose

[slackmaster]

12. What does gun smuggling have to do with "gun-related public policy issues or the use of firearms...

...for self-defense?

[struggle4progress]

14. If you think gun-smuggling is not appropriate to the forum, do feel free to ask mods to move or lock

In my view, government acts always have an intrinsic nexus with public policy -- but (of course) you are perfectly entitled to consider that public policy means something unrelated to real or potential government acts, should you so choose

[slackmaster]

16. Gun smuggling is illegal

What's the public policy issue?

Do you think it should be legalized?

Do you have a problem with the successful enforcement of the law described in the OP?

[struggle4progress]

20. Here's the "Gun Running, Smuggling and Illicit Trafficking" feed at gunpolicy.org:

Gun Running, Smuggling and Illicit Trafficking
Illicit trade in firearms and small arms - Gun Policy News
http://www.gunpolicy.org/Topics/Gun_Smuggling_And_Trafficking.html

[slackmaster]

21. Most of which concerns the international trade in military weapons

And not related in any way to the US civilian sporting arms market or US gun policy, with the exception of the one about (illegal) straw purchases being done increasingly by women.

Thanks for the link.

[eqfan592]

9. I would say at a minimum Bloombergs comments make it OK for this forum. (nt)

[X_Digger]

6. Good, enforcement of existing laws works.

But I doubt that's the point you really wanted to make, was it?

[eqfan592]

8. Besides Bloombergs moronic comments (nothing unusual there)...

...seems like a good story. Oh, and it mentions "assault rifles" when I'd be willing to bet they weren't, but otherwise good deal.

What's funny to me is that these criminals are being charged of committing a crime because of the supposedly "lax" gun laws they violated. I'd be curious exactly what new laws Mr. Bloomberg has in mind that would have stopped these men. Most likely, he was trying to use the blood of a murdered child to score some more cheap political points, the sick bastard that he is.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

10. Excellent. Hope they go away for a very, very long time.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. Encore!

Seriously, I always wonder, why did it take so many guns to build the case. I wish they would move on this people a little faster.

[spin]

13. Enforcing existing laws is always a great idea...

far more effective than passing new "feel good" laws.

Now we need to make sure that the punishment fits the crime and these fools spend a LONG time in prison.

[gorfle]

15. Hooray!

Hope they get put away for a long time.

[rl6214]

17. Did you have a point to make with this post

since you didn't include any comments of your own? Or are you just trolling?

[struggle4progress]

18. Gun trafficking a growing issue in Maine

11/18/09 | 44 comments
guns in maine
Using ‘straw buyers,’ particularly women, part of crime trend
By Judy Harrison
BDN Staff

Katrina Wickett was 23 in the summer of 2007 when her life spiraled out of control. The father of her children moved out of their Bangor apartment, leaving her with a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old and a newborn.A few months later, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services placed her children in the custody of her parents. By fall, she was without work, without a relationship and without her children, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

She did what many lonely women of her generation do — sought companionship over the Internet. Christopher Riley popped into her life. By mid-October, he and his friends James Damon and Levar Carey had talked Wickett into buying three guns for them at a Bangor pawnshop.

Wickett, now 25, is one of a growing number of women around the country being used as “straw buyers” to purchase guns for people, almost always men, who could not buy them legally due to a felony or domestic violence conviction.

The guns Wickett bought were recovered almost immediately due to her quick arrest. The men she bought them for, however, belonged to Boston-area gangs and intended to use them as part of a drug operation, according to court documents ...

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/129958.html

[struggle4progress]

19. Windshield repairman admits gun-smuggling

In a plea deal, he agrees to give up Zetas cartel’s plot
By DANE SCHILLER
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Nov. 21, 2009, 11:42AM

A Houston windshield repairman has admitted to helping manage a part of a broader conspiracy to traffic more than 300 military-style weapons across the border, part of a plea deal requiring him to tell federal agents about the ring that supplied weapons to Mexico's fearsome Zetas drug cartel.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has taken down more than a dozen U.S. citizens the agency contends purchased weapons to help fuel a protracted war that has taken thousands of lives south of the border.

... Christian ... Garza's background and day job repairing windshields underscore part of the cartel's apparent strategy.

It enlists Americans who are both facing tougher economic times, so they may be tempted by quick cash, and have no felony convictions so they'll pass gun-buying background checks ...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6732060.html

[slackmaster]

22. Does this military-style rifle go with my shoes?

[eqfan592]

23. So....your point is that criminals find ways around laws in order to get guns?

You replied to the person, but have still failed to actually put together an argument for anything. This is the s4p of old again....