October 11, 2006 Fifty Caliber Institute Email Alert Gun show 'Stings' Continue In California and Neighboring States

FCI has been made aware that federal, state and local law enforcement officers are continuing stepped up efforts to enforce firearms laws, particularly at gun shows in California and bordering states. The California Department of Justice Firearms Division, county and local law enforcement officials (particularly LAPD Gun Unit) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) all attend gun shows throughout California and neighboring states. There are uniformed officers present, as well as civilian informants and undercover plain clothes officers whose job is to conduct 'stings 'typically by enticing gun buyers or sellers to forego the legal requirements that gun sales be processed through a licensed gun dealer. Often guns are offered at "too good to believe" prices in order to entice the offer.

Police are monitoring Shotgun News, Gun List and other trade magazines for sales of firearms and even run ads themselves to sting unwitting participants. State police will follow cars with California plates back from the gun shows across state lines and arrest the occupants for importing "assault weapons" or "high capacity" magazines.

FCI wants to make everyone aware of these circumstances to ensure our readers are not engaging in the activities described so as to put themselves in a position of being arrested and having your entire firearms collection confiscated. As all of you are aware, two members of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Assn. have had search warrants served on their residences and charges filed against them. Other gun rights organizations reading this information need to pass it on to their own members.

Law Enforcement officials in California are taking very seriously any violations of the laws they have been passing for these many years restricting your lawful right to own firearms. They have joined forces and pooled their resources to aggressively target gun owners. We are here to make you aware of it and to encourage everyone to again BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS GUN OWNERS and not become involved in any transaction that might lead to your arrest.

Please refer to this .pdf document from www.calgunlaws.com This document is directed at Gun Show regulators and is aimed at making them aware of the current situation. Please open the document and become familiar with it.

FCI would also like to remind everyone that if you are not familiar with the restrictions of the California Assault Weapons Ban, you can find the entire document on our web site at www.fiftycal.org

We will keep you advised as we become aware of more information.

John Burtt, Chmn
FCI