Did Blackwater sneak silencers into Iraq?

[babylonsister]

Did Blackwater sneak silencers into Iraq?
Security firm under investigation for allegedly sidestepping export controls

Aram Roston
Investigative producer

WASHINGTON - Federal agents are investigating allegations that the Blackwater USA security firm illegally exported dozens of firearms sound suppressors — commonly known as silencers — to Iraq and other countries for use by company operatives, sources close to the investigation tell NBC News.

Investigators from various federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the State Department and the Commerce Department, are digging into the allegations that the company exported the silencers without getting necessary export approval, according to law enforcement sources, who spoke to NBC News on condition of anonymity. The sources said the investigation is part of a broader examination of potential firearms and export violations.

Coincidentally, the company’s main responsibility in Iraq is protecting officials of the State Department, the agency that regulates exports of arms. The firm had more than $500 million in federal contracts in 2006.

Anne Tyrrell, a Blackwater spokeswoman, refused to comment on any specific allegations of the firearms investigation but said that “of course we would cooperate as we do in any investigation.”

The sources tell NBC News that Blackwater purchased the silencers legally from SWR Manufacturing, formerly of Georgia and now located in Pickens, S.C. SWR manufactures the devices for pistols, rifles and machine guns. The purchases took place over several years, the sources say.

more...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21565556/

[Kagemusha]

1. A few dozen silencers? This is what the government chooses to get upset over?

If this is part of some allegation of reselling arms to the Iraqi black market, a few dozen silencers don't even qualify as chicken feed.

[KoKo]

7. from the article..."while silencers are rare in America because ...possession is highly restricted..

While silencers are rare in America because their possession is highly restricted, they are common props in movies and television programs, used by actors playing hit men or members of the special forces. The military uses them for covert action and nighttime tactical assaults where stealth and surprise are required, but experts say it is not clear why Blackwater guards would need them for missions such as personal protection of diplomats.

Details of case slow to emerge
It has been reported that two former Blackwater employees who pleaded guilty to firearms violations earlier this year are cooperating with federal investigators in a firearms investigation, but the specifics of the case, including the details about the silencers, have not previously been disclosed.

Getting permission from the State Department to export such items is extremely difficult. Several sources involved in the investigation said that in the rush to prepare for war and execute federal contracts, private security companies sometimes have overlooked the requirements for their licenses.

[ck4829]

2. Why?

"for use by company operatives"

Sounds like Blackwater might want to get into the field of wet work to me.

[Richard Steele]

3. The BFEE doesn't hire an entire private army just to waste it on "bodyguard" duty. nm

[babylonsister]

4. With this info, we can only imagine what we haven't heard about. nt

[Mabus]

6. Actually we can't

because there is so much fucked up shit going on - not to mention that we still don't know what's going on - here, there and everywhere that our imaginations just aren't that good. At least my imaginations not. Heck, even my worst nightmares have been a walk in the park compared to what we have found out has been going on.

Sorry for the profanity but I've flat run out of words.

[Kagemusha]

8. Myself, I can't see the point. They've shot people loud and publicly without problems.

It's not like they've needed to hide it. In the cases where they went too far even for the State Department's standards - which I believe to be atrociously low - the shooters were hauled out of the country like the one who shot the Shiite VP's bodyguard. (There's two VP's, this one's the guy who lost out to Maliki as PM only because Sadr supported Maliki over him.)

[Mabus]

9. You're right, it doesn't make sense

It doesn't make sense unless they are committing assassinations. Which brings up the questions, "who would they need to assassinate? And, why?" Maybe that's a little tinfoil but, you are so right, they don't hide their murders.

[benEzra]

5. Depends on what calibers the suppressors were for.

If they were for 5.56mm carbines, no; if for .300 Whisper or .45 ACP, maybe.