In a twist of irony, Bloomberg News appears to be taking credit for the recent Commerce Department’s decision to halt firearm exports, amidst its investigation into the effects of U.S. weapons sales on various countries. However, one can’t help but juxtapose this with the disturbing revelations that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been involved in questionable operations like “Operation Fast and Furious” and the recent allegations by Senator Charles Grassley of an ATF-related firearm trafficking scheme in Tijuana.
For those unfamiliar, “Operation Fast and Furious” was a botched operation in which the ATF allowed firearms to be smuggled into Mexico in hopes of tracing them to Mexican drug cartels. The operation tragically backfired when firearms connected to the operation were found at the murder scene of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in 2010.
Fast forward to now, Senator Grassley has brought to light whistleblower allegations suggesting that an ATF employee in Tijuana was involved in illegally trafficking firearms parts from the U.S. to Mexico, exploiting his diplomatic privileges for nefarious purposes.
While Bloomberg focuses on the supposed dangers of legal firearms sales abroad, there seems to be a selective amnesia regarding these ATF blunders, which directly put weapons in the hands of criminals.
This dichotomy becomes even more striking when considering the Biden administration’s domestic policies. Under President Biden, there’s been a notable push for more gun control, affecting law-abiding American citizens. Measures such as “zero tolerance” policies against Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) have been implemented, leading to a substantial rise in license revocations. This approach not only undermines the rights of responsible gun owners but also risks alienating allies in the fight against illegal gun trafficking.
It’s paradoxical. On one hand, the administration, with the support of media outlets like Bloomberg, is championing efforts to restrict legal firearm sales, both domestically and internationally. On the other hand, there have been instances where U.S. agencies, like the ATF, have been implicated in activities that put guns directly into the hands of criminals.
For law-abiding Americans concerned about their Second Amendment rights, the landscape appears increasingly hostile. And while Bloomberg and others might celebrate restrictions on legal firearm exports, it’s essential to keep an eye on the broader picture, which includes the government’s own missteps in arming the very criminals they claim to combat.
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