The American Spectator

Bruce Abbott| 3.19.09 @ 6:32AM

The comment in the article about background checks not being required at gun shows is totally false. I worked at a gun shop for 8 years, and we had to do the paperwork for every sale, no matter where that sale was transacted. Private owners in my home state are exempted, but that exemption covers the entire state, not just shows. This misinformation is the hardiest of weeds; no amount of truth seems able to kill it.

paultex| 3.19.09 @ 9:48AM

Mr. Hannaford:

It is against U.S. law for machine guns or other automatic weapons to be sold at gun shows. Attend a gun show and see for yourself.

I don't known where the Mexican cartels are obtaining automatic weapons but they aren't getting them at U.S. gun shows.

Pecos Pete| 3.19.09 @ 10:18AM

Grenades? Machine guns? At gun shows? Next it will be RPGs and missiles. I hope Mexico is making progress but let's not make a mistake about where illegal weapons are being bought. The drug cartels can easily afford a slow boat from the middle east where almost any weapon can be purchased in quantity.

Kevin B. Gaiser| 3.19.09 @ 10:58AM

This story goes from "grenades & machine guns", and an ATF estimate of "7,700 guns" traced back to the US, to guns being bought at guns shows, where background checks are not required. Where did you source this stuff, the Brady website?

Who at ATF came up with this estimate?

Who said US citizens are buying guns at gun shows for the Mexican Drug Cartel?

At gun show in this country are background checks not being conducted, or sales not easily traced?

This is what is wrong with the conservative movement. The sad truth is that, had McCain won, this would be no different.

Thomas| 3.19.09 @ 11:58AM

Enough with the "Mexico's problems all stem from the evil arms laws of los Americanos from the evil Los Estados Unidos. While it true that weapons are being procured in the U.S. and taken, considering the lack of border enforcement practiced by both countries this hardly constitutes smuggling, into Mexico; these weapons are the garden variety pistols, shotguns and non-automatic rifles available to U.S. citizens. Full automatic, military grade firearms, hand grenades and explosives are not only extremely hard to procure in the U.S., but why bother when you have a ready point of supply in Mexico, the Mexican Army.

For decades, Mexican drug interests, especially in the northern border states, have enjoyed regular protection and assistance from national military units. This has not changed to any appreciable degree. This assistance is also extended to weapons procurement. Small border gangs may purchase civilian weaponry, often through intermediaries , in the U.S. because they do not have the money, or influence, to obtain military weaponry from the Mexican Army. But, virtually all of the fully automatic weapons and hand grenades come from the Mexican Army, some stolen, but most purchased. Simply put, Mexico can not afford to close the border with Los Estados Unidos because money from Mexican immigrants, both legal and illegal, keeps its economy afloat. The U.S. has its own reasons for allowing virtually unfettered cross border access. Until both countries make a reasonable effort to close the border, then all of this is moot.

A small not of caution, always verify anything that the ATF says. There is an agenda in Washington, it is to protect the Corruptocracy of Mexico and to do everything possible to render the 2nd Amendment moot. Just remember, Guns don't kill people; crazed, desperate drug cartel members do.

L. Ross| 3.19.09 @ 1:16PM

Heck, if I can get automatic weapons and grenades without a background check at a gun show, you will see me there this weekend!

snr| 3.19.09 @ 2:08PM

Peter you are either a liar or misinformed. When you buy a gun at a gun show you follow the same proceedure and fill out the same yellow form as any other firearm transaction. If someone is buying large amounts of guns legally and turning them over to these criminals they are breaking existing laws and if you had ever filled out a yellow ATF form you would know what I am referring to. Enforce the laws on the books get rid of EVERY illegal alien and quit spreading untruths about firearms in you campaign to destroy the Second Amendment.

abncp| 3.19.09 @ 3:14PM

Thank God for the 2nd amendment to our Constitution. The ordinary citizen of Mexico cannot own or posses firearms. Only the Police, the Army and of course the really bad guys can. Of course the Police are often part of the really bad guys. Even the Army is'nt always reliable, Re. the Zitas. I hope the Brady bunch can finally see why most people in this country support the 2nd amendment.

Louis Jenkins| 3.19.09 @ 4:51PM

"President Felipe Calderón is unlike his predecessors who turned a blind eye to decades-long drug trade. When he took office in 2003 he declared war on the drug cartels. In an interview last month, he said bluntly, "I'm fighting corruption among Mexican authorities and risking everything to clean house, but I think a good cleaning is in order on the other side of the border" (referring to a need to enforce a U.S. assault weapon ban). "

Read up on Pres Calderon’s drug enforcement officials and their bloody hands. They are up to their elbows in drugs and murder. An article in a recent edition of the “Rolling Stone” (not exactly a source of truthful reporting) states that officials at every level, including many police commissioners, Mexican Army officers, and even those up next to the el presidente’, are on the take. But ain’t it grande’, Calderon can blame America for all its woes. The solution- seal the border coming and going. It’s all too convenient to blame the 2nd Amendment. Mexico doesn’t have a 2nd Amendment and see where it has gotten them. They've always been corrupt and will remain so.

Jim| 3.20.09 @ 2:20AM

The weapons are American, brought into Mexico under military foreign sales (US aid). The Mexican military are ones who are arming the drug cartels with US weapons.
Don't fall for this obama gun control scam effort.

Daniel Stiles| 3.20.09 @ 3:09AM

The cartels do not need to buy one gun at a time from gun shows in the U.S. They buy them from the boatload from any number of middle eastern and failed, corrupt states.

The American Hell DRUGSRULE| 3.20.09 @ 12:16PM

Drugs is more valuable than GOLD, Bush had shut down American industry for Drugs. Let the bugs fight it out, as long as we make it easier to get it in from Afghanistan, and make a profit.

From Mexico, into America, it's taken over in California, and bankrupted the State, and will worl it's way across America. The idea is to turn America into a BUG infested hell, what are you going to do about it.

Roberto| 3.21.09 @ 2:18PM

What a load of crap this article was. The cartels are getting their guns from the military and from Venezuela. Look it up.

Kurt| 3.26.09 @ 6:45AM

We need to take into account that Mexicans aren't accountable for their own actions. Would a Police chief in America ever resign under pressure from drug gangs. (it's a rhetorical question so obviously there's no need for a question mark.) I think killing Mexicans would be fun and profitable. Everyone I know would love to pick up guns and support our local police. Maybe not in Oakland though.

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