Visit from ATF

[ibanezfoo]

I am involved in a thread on another board arguing with some libs about gun control and whatnot. The thread started with a guy posting a pic some of his collection, AK, AR, RP90. The usual childish crap and pissing contest goes on (guilty <raising hand>) and then he posts that the ATF paid him a visit after someone reading the thread reported him for having illegal machine guns. Supposedly the ATF paid him a visit and cleared him... but still. I thought they weren't allowed to trace you without some kind of a warrant, which according to him they didn't have.

Guess you really have to pay attention to what you post in a public forum!

-Bryan

[tango-52]

And how many pages are we up to in one thread about posting pictures of your 223? 130? Not me thanks.

[Dump1567]

Same thing happened to a buddy of mine over 10 years ago. Some guy accused him of having full-auto weapons. ATF called and made an appointment for inspection. He said they even had some form of list of what guns he owned?

The less people know about your collection the better (as my 220R avatar comes-up).

[Soldier415]

OP-SEC gentleman...OP-SEC

[Jicko]

You MUST not have heard what HAPPENED to BWO?? Someone rat him out of his myspace postings.... then.... every 3&4-letters agency showed up and hauled him away from his home... firearms taken.... BS charges filled... giantantic bail amount... blah blah blah....

I am involved in a thread on another board arguing with some libs about gun control and whatnot. The thread started with a guy posting a pic some of his collection, AK, AR, RP90. The usual childish crap and pissing contest goes on (guilty <raising hand>) and then he posts that the ATF paid him a visit after someone reading the thread reported him for having illegal machine guns. Supposedly the ATF paid him a visit and cleared him... but still. I thought they weren't allowed to trace you without some kind of a warrant, which according to him they didn't have.

Guess you really have to pay attention to what you post in a public forum!

-Bryan

[hoffmang]

Well, if ATF comes calling there are a few things you should do. Open your door, step outside and close your door behind you - talk on the front step/porch. Ask to see a warrant. If they don't have a warrant, don't tell them much other than that all your arms are legal. Don't consent to a search. Tire quickly of them and nicely ask them to leave.

If they do have a warrant, let them in. Keep your gun safe locked. Leave unless they tell you you are under arrest. Call an attorney.

-Gene

[CSACANNONEER]

I don't see what's wrong with posting pictures of what you own. As for me, I don't own any guns or anything else so, I don't post pictures! BTW, if ATF of LAPDGTF asks, I will have never and will never own a gun, I don't know what a 4473, a DROS or a ten day wait is.

[ldivinag]

If they do have a warrant, let them in. Keep your gun safe locked. Leave unless they tell you you are under arrest. Call an attorney.

-Gene

what if the warrant specifically mentions guns safes?

[colossians323]

what if the warrant specifically mentions guns safes?

My question too.
I know that we are not lawyers, but I am interested as well.

[pnkssbtz]

How is an anonymous or random informant with no supporting information enough to get a warrant?

That is absurd. ****, why don't we tip off the ATF that feinstein's husband's gun class 3 firearms collection...

[hoffmang]

If a warrant specifically mentions a gun safe I believe that you have two options. You can either open it for them, or they can open it for you. I do not have specific knowledge of the exact legal circumstances on this one, but knowing what I do of court orders and the 5th amendment, you aren't legally required to give them the combo, but if they have a warrant for inside the safe, they can open it so the property damage question is up to you.

If the safe isn't mentioned, its one of a host of reasons why I recommend you leave. Leaving also keeps you from saying something that will be used against you in the future.

-Gene

[dwtt]

How is an anonymous or random informant with no supporting information enough to get a warrant?

That is absurd. ****, why don't we tip off the ATF that feinstein's husband's gun class 3 firearms collection...

Oooohh. I can't wait to hear that story on the evening news!

"Tonight we have a late breaking story of Senator Dianne Feinstein's husband being served with a warrant for possession of illegal assault weapons. The very same weapons the California Senator has tried to ban for years. When reached for comment, the senator said, ' Weapons? What weapons? Those are paperweights' "

[Phil Bole]

I don't buy that they went to his home because of pics posted
There must be something more to the story
How did they find out who he was???
Did he post his REAL name???
I know they could get the IP and subpoena his ISP company (not sure of process/legality )
What if he used an "anonymizer" to post??

[Bling Bling 2.0]

Well, if ATF comes calling there are a few things you should do. Open your door, step outside and close your door behind you - talk on the front step/porch. Ask to see a warrant. If they don't have a warrant, don't tell them much other than that all your arms are legal. Don't consent to a search. Tire quickly of them and nicely ask them to leave.

If they do have a warrant, let them in. Keep your gun safe locked. Leave unless they tell you you are under arrest. Call an attorney.

-Gene

That sounds like pretty good advice. I am a law abiding citizen but I would never let any law enforcement officer into my house without a warrant. It's my right and I take great pride in my rights.

[ibanezfoo]

I don't buy that they went to his home because of pics posted
There must be something more to the story
How did they find out who he was???
Did he post his REAL name???
I know they could get the IP and subpoena his ISP company (not sure of process/legality )
What if he used an "anonymizer" to post??

Yeah thats what I was thinking too, so I asked more about it. He didn't know how they found him.

You can check out the whole thread here (don't think ill of me because of my flaming/bullying stupid liberals... the thread is over 1000 pages of what is essentially a pissing match. Theres a LEO that posts in it too.)

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=1604355

-Bryan