Dem-ordered study to expose illegal online gun sales backfires

[IsailedawayfromFR]

A Democrat-backed study meant to expose illicit online gun sales instead seemed to show the opposite -- with hardly any sellers taking the bait when undercover investigators tried to set up dozens of illegal firearm transactions.

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., as well as Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, had commissioned the Government Accountability Office report to look into how online private dealers might be selling guns to people not allowed to have them.

Their efforts were based on a 2016 report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which claimed that “anonymity of the internet makes it an ideal means for prohibited individuals to obtain illegal firearms.”

“Congressional requesters asked that GAO access the extent to which ATF is enforcing existing laws and investigate whether online private sellers sell firearms to be people who are not allowed or eligible to possess a firearm,” the GAO report said.

Over the course of the two-and-a-half year investigation, agents tried to buy firearms illegally on the “Surface Web” and the “Dark Web,” generally by sharing their status as “prohibited individuals” or trying to buy across state lines.

But the GAO revealed that their 72 attempts outside of the dark web were all “unsuccessful.”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/01/08/dem-ordered-study-to-expose-illegal-online-gun-sales-backfires.html

We really need to thank the libs for proving this point once and for all.

[Cyber Liberty]

This will be ignored, the politicians who commissioned it will insist the study didn't happen.

[roamer_1]

PRIVATE sales?

I can sell my gun to whomever I damn well please. What strictures are there on private sales whatsoever?

[Cyber Liberty]

PRIVATE sales?

I can sell my gun to whomever I damn well please. What strictures are there on private sales whatsoever?

FTA:

Over the course of the two-and-a-half year investigation, agents tried to buy firearms illegally on the “Surface Web” and the “Dark Web,” generally by sharing their status as “prohibited individuals” or trying to buy across state lines.

Those two statuses (Prohibited individual and across state lines) are illegal.  Been that way as long as I can remember.  1968, I think? 

[roamer_1]

FTA:
Those two statuses (Prohibited individual and across state lines) are illegal.  Been that way as long as I can remember.  1968, I think?

Maybe for dealers, but not in private sales.
I have no ability whatsoever to determine *anything* about the buyer.

[Cyber Liberty]

Maybe for dealers, but not in private sales.
I have no ability whatsoever to determine *anything* about the buyer.

I'm not going to argue with you.  They presented themselves as customers who would get you in the slammer if you knowing sold to them.  "Hi, I'm a convicted Felon and I want to buy your gun."