NEWS Gun Advocates Ready for Battle on Federal Assault Weapons Ban

[Tex4oc]

On another forum this morning I read a letter from House Democrats to Eric Holder, specifically denying any support of a renewal or new assault weapons ban. This letter was signed by 65 Blue Steel Dems., that, for all intents and purposes, guarantees that the assault weapons ban will mot pass.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Tex4oc

On another forum this morning I read a letter from House Democrats to Eric Holder, specifically denying any support of a renewal or new assault weapons ban. This letter was signed by 65 Blue Steel Dems., that, for all intents and purposes, guarantees that the assault weapons ban will mot pass.

this of course sounds good... but don't be fooled.there are many in office who want our firearms and they are not about to give up.. they will keep trying to find new ways to try to make it sound like a ban is the best way to go.

[chroode]

Judge tosses case against Phoenix gun-shop owner


Mar. 19, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

State prosecutors suffered a public setback in efforts to combat border violence Wednesday when a judge dismissed high-profile charges against a Phoenix gun dealer accused of arming Mexican cartels.

The case against George Iknadosian, owner of X-Caliber Guns, had been covered on national TV broadcasts and in stories by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

But in mid-trial, all 21 counts were dismissed by Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Robert Gottsfield, who decided he had found a flaw in the government's case.
According to a minute entry, Gottsfield concluded that evidence against Iknadosian was not sufficient to support conviction based on a technical legal issue. Because the gun buyers all were eligible to acquire firearms, he said, their deception did not amount to a "material falsification." Consequently, Gottsfield ruled, the evidence did not show felonious conduct by Iknadosian.

Gottsfield issued a directed verdict of not guilty for Iknadosian, 47, who was charged with fraud, money-laundering and other offenses.

About 6,000 narcotics-related homicides were reported south of the border last year. Leading up to trial, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard portrayed Iknadosian as a greedy business owner who helped fuel Mexico's bloodshed by supplying more than 700 AK-47s and other weapons to cartels.

Late Wednesday, Anne Hilby, a spokeswoman for Goddard, issued a brief statement: "This office disagrees with the (judge's) analysis. We are already preparing an appeal, and we will continue to put the full strength of this office behind the case."

Iknadosian had pleaded not guilty. Neither he nor his attorney, Thomas Baker, was available Wednesday afternoon.

Iknadosian was accused of selling the firearms to "straw buyers," who then transported weapons to Mexico.

Gottsfield dismissed jurors and granted acquittal in response to a so-called Rule 20 motion sought by Baker. Under Arizona law, Rule 20 holds that a case must be thrown out if the state's evidence is inadequate for conviction.

"There is no proof whatsoever that any prohibited (firearm) possessor ended up with the firearms," he said.

The case was considered a landmark prosecution in part because of cooperation with Mexican authorities, who provided evidence that guns from X-Caliber were used in criminal operations south of the border.

The trial garnered even more attention because it began amid hearings on border violence at the Arizona Capitol and in Washington, D.C. Goddard and ATF agents depicted Iknadosian as among the most prominent U.S. gun dealers providing weapons to narcotics criminals. Working with Sonoran police, he traced guns from X-Caliber to Mexican murders and cartel figures.

About a dozen co-defendants pleaded guilty to felony charges before other judges. Gottsfield's ruling on Wednesday appears to question whether they committed the crimes for which they were convicted.

[Shooter McGriffin]

What is this IDIOT Holder trying to tell us? Is he tyring to say the Constitution allows the federal government to stomp on our Bill of Rights in order to enforce the laws of a foriegn nation?

Are we supposed to give up our inalienable rights so Mexico can enforce their laws?

The Federal government of the USA is out of control. They are off the chain out of control and it is time for "We the People" to reign them in. Why don't enforce the laws that the Constitution actually charges them to enforce...hmmmm... like defending our southern border from foriegn invaders! Oh that's right...the politicians that refuse to do that want these illegal aliens to vote for them. And don't think they can't. Just ask people in Harris County Texas! Their voter rolls are packed with illegal aliens. The proof is easily googled but here's one article: Proof Of Illegal Aliens Voting As Those Called For Jury Duty Claim They Are Not Citizens : Diggers Realm