"Gun Dealers Reach Settlement With NYC Mayor Bloomberg."
Some depressing but expected news: "Gun Dealers Reach Settlement With NYC Mayor Bloomberg." Whether they are at fault or not, the legal costs of litigation can make many small shops just cave into these legal threats.
According to the settlement, the two dealers — A-1 Jewelry and Pawn and AAA Gun & Pawn Brokers — will be supervised for three years, but the clock will restart if there are any violations. For its part in the agreement, the city dropped its pursuit of monetary damages as well as its attempt to halt sales. They must also pay the city penalties if they allow illegal purchases.
posted by John Lott at 6:52 AM
6 Comments:
I don't get this part...
"The Bloomberg administration sent private investigators wearing hidden cameras to attempt "straw purchases," where one person fills out the legal forms and makes the purchase for another. The ruse is illegal and often used by convicted felons and others who cannot own firearms."
How would anyone know if I bought a gun and gave it to another? Assuming I don't talk about it in the store...
Dear Don:
Your question gets to the heart of the problem. It is not often obvious, and what Bloomberg says should be obvious might often not be obvious to anyone else. The questions in this case for the retailers that haven't settled involves exactly what type of evidence Bloomberg has.
"The Bloomberg administration sent private investigators wearing hidden cameras to attempt "straw purchases," where one person fills out the legal forms and makes the purchase for another. The ruse is illegal and often used by convicted felons and others who cannot own firearms."
Isn't this admitting that the "investigators" commited a felony? Since these guys were not fed. agents, what authority or jurisdiction do New Yorkers have over a local Gun Dealer here in Georgia? And are those investigators going to be charged with a crime?
This whole thing stinks to high heaven. Mayor Bloomberg should concentrate to the rampant crime in his own city and keep his nose out of other states' business.
Rob
Unfortunately, this is just another example of our crazy products liablity laws. The best practical solution I have seen is here: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/law/faculty/papers/wpDetail.php?wpID=131 (it looks like the full paper is no longer there).
Of course, these investigators sent by Bloomberg were commiting felonies by purposefully engaging in straw purchases...
I read that some politician may be filing suit against Bloomberg et all for these tactics...
Brian
Dear Brian:
You are correct. Former Congressman Bob Barr has file just such a suit. We will see what happens.
Post a Comment
<< Home