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Machine Gun Stolen, Undercover Agents’ Names Exposed After Botched ATF Sting — Now Lawmakers Demand Answers

Feb. 1, 2013 12:11pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Lawmakers Demand Answers About ATF Phony Storefront Operation in Milwaukee

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding answers after a damning news report this week outlined an almost unthinkable series of errors in a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sting operation.

For 10 months, ATF agents in Milwaukee ran a storefront operation meant to bust criminals for gun and drug violations. But the operation inside the phony store “Fearless Distributing” didn’t take down any major drug dealers or gang members — instead, the store was robbed of $35,000 worth of merchandise, an agent’s machine gun was stolen, and a document with the names and phone numbers of undercover agents was left behind after the operation was shut down, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

It’s the latest embarrassment for the agency still under the cloud of Operation Fast and Furious. On Thursday, some of the top Washington lawmakers investigating that failed operation turned their attention to the ATF’s actions in Milwaukee with a letter to ATF Acting Director Todd Jones.

In it, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) laid out the allegations of failure and mismanagement and set a two-week deadline for answers to 22 specific questions.

“If these reports are accurate, your ability to provide this leadership is in serious doubt,” the letter stated. “You promised to ‘hit the reset button’ when you became acting director. Instead, it appears as though you have hit the ‘repeat’ button, as the Fearless Distributing sting was created and conducted entirely under your stewardship.”

According to the Journal Sentinel, the ATF opened the fake store last year and staffed it with undercover agents who, under the guise of selling clothes and shoes, “let it be known” that they were willing to buy guns and drugs — and at a premium. In one case, an ATF agent paid $1,250 for a handgun with an auction value of just $400 to $700.

In total, the sting resulted in charges filed against just 30 people — mostly for low-level drug or gun counts — but agents also got the wrong person in at least three instances, including one who was actually in prison at the time, the newspaper reported.

“I have never heard of those kinds of problems in an operation,” retired ATF agent Michael Bouchard told the Journal Sentinel. “Sure, small bits and pieces, but that many in one case? I have never heard of anything like that.”

ATF spokesman Special Agent Robert Schmidt did not immediately return a request for comment from TheBlaze, though insisted to the Journal Sentinel that the agency’s operation had made the streets of Milwaukee safer.

“Our number one responsibility is denying criminal access to firearms and that is what we are trying to do,” Schmidt said. “It is our duty to purchase these firearms to protect the American public and citizens of Milwaukee.”

The search continues for the still-missing M-4 .223-caliber fully automatic rifle and another handgun stolen out of an agent’s Ford Explorer. A third gun stolen at the same time was recovered — it was sold back to Fearless Distributing for $1,400. Schmidt told the Journal Sentinel the agency is “actively looking for any missing firearms that might be out there right now.”

“The mismanaged operation included numerous careless and costly mistakes,” Rep. Sensenbrenner said in a statement to Fox News. “Along with my colleagues, I am asking the ATF what happened in Milwaukee and who will be held accountable. I want to know how these glaring blunders could happen. How did ATF—for the second time that we know of—put guns in the hands of dangerous criminals?”

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (120)

blazingaway
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:57pm
yes we need more and more government … LOOK PEOPLE the people in government come from you and me. If we’re such idiots, irresponsible, incompetent people who need to be controlled and managed then how much more so are the people who are doing this just as much, must as likely to be so and if they have all of the power and you have none then guess who is going to have it all and who is going to work twice as hard so they have it and you don’t and you will have far less or nothing compared to what you fear losing now. WAKE THE F UP you STUPID AMERICANS and protect your rights and especially your right to own arms and get ride of these government people

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Chuck7884
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:56pm
No Democrats demanding answers?.

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- 338lapua
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:02pm
  No, covering their own a**es. Chief Flynn (I make up my own crime stats), has stated that he would really like to get this weapon off the street. The Mayor……has said NOTHING. Gwen Moore……yep she is ours…..cannot even understand what happened. There is a creek named ****, and we are up it.
  
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South Philly Boy
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:54pm
Heads Need to ROLL

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- 338lapua
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:03pm
  Awwww, you are funny!
  
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FiveSolas
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:46pm
The ATF is another agency that needs to just go away. There is no reason we need a huge federal law enforcement bureaucracy like this. Enforcement of these laws could be done by local law enforcement, and in certain cases, the FBI. The ATF is redundant. They also seem to be the center of most of the federal law enforcement problems in the last 20 years. Get rid of them and give that authority back to the locals.

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valleyfever
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:45pm
Yup sounds like a Keystone Kops operation to me. Except all these Kops are packin’. Somebody needs to do a cost benefit analysis on this job and report findings. Buying guns at twice the retail cost might be a tip off that the government is running some kind of a sting operation. Bet no heads roll.

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DougHuffman
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:43pm
Now read the story of Badger Guns that was closed down for being a “worst” crime-gun shop to make room for this one. Badger Guns did not close until they were made an offer that they couldn’t refuse by Erich von Holder, Capo di tutti capo.

https://encrypted.google.com/search?hl=en&q=badger+guns+site:www.jsonline.com&gbv=1&sei=CQwMUcufMOOayAGP0YHwAQ

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icarenough
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:37pm
But, but what difference does it make?? No one’s dead!!!

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ExtremeRight
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:32pm
The way a man dresses and stands says a lot. Look at that little group there. Do they look like they have any self respect ? But then again you bunch of losers reading this might dress and look the same.

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freenj
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:26pm
Down right stupid bunch of government workers.
Off subject: can’t wait till that moron Hagel is crowned Secretary of Defense. Then we will see more inferior management of our defense system. Things are looking grimmer by the day.

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Bonnieblue2A
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:24pm
It is time to defund and disband BATFE once and for all. Move the functions of Alcohol & Tobacco to the FDA and move the Firearms & Explosives over to the FBI.

When are purgery charges going to be filed against Lanny Breuer for his false testimony in regard to Operation Fast & Furious? Is this co-conspirator to Holder going to be allowed to just retire quietly?

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DougHuffman
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:22pm
Thanks DaBlasé for picking this four day old story. I’ve been tipping this since it hit the local news-rag.

How many other mini-Fast&Furious are running yet to be discovered?

Good people are armed with wits, guns and the Truth. God Bless Bitter Clingers, damn progressives, know-nothings.

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- spfoam1
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:38pm
  Liberals always back each other up. Conservatives never fail to beat each other up.
  
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grimmster
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:19pm
This is no different than any govt agency or our military,this is what you get when standars are lowered lower than a wagon rut,so every “race” will be treated “equally”…..Yeah go ahead and claim that statement is racist,then look at requirements to get into “any” govt position,hell look at what odumbass wants as def. sect………

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Slipstick
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:16pm
Clowns. Dangerous clowns. Well armed, dangerous clowns.
…and they want to prosecute us for owning (empty) 30 round magazines.
Only in Amerika…

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AbrahamsSheepdog
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:12pm
Dumb as a bag of ****. These mayberry idiots could not buy a clue. Like watching monkey screw a football. This is bad folks. God help us

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THEDAYLIBERTYDIED
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:12pm
I bet they have a shop set up in Chicago!

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1wolf
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:11pm
Lawmakers and I use this term loosely, working to disarm law abiding citizens and “skeeter” working to arm the criminals.

Fearless Distributing right on the heals of Fast & Furious, OMG!!! AAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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AR154ME
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:09pm
First: The ATF reminds us of how the Federal Government can not do anything right. Second:To TheBlaze, if your going to report a story get your facts straight. In this troubling time for gun owners it should be made clear that the M4 is a select fire weapon not a machine gun. A machine gun only has a full auto option( picture an m240 or a mini gun). Machine guns have no single shot or burst option. Just like an AR15 is not a machine gun but mearley a semi-auto rifle. I hope this clears that point up. Don’t beat me up on my first post :-)

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jimnamvet
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:08pm
Did anyone notice that the idiots did not use the correct term (THIS TIME) and call this M4 what is truly is????? In this instance it really is an ASSAULT WEAPON!!!

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- 1wolf
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:16pm
  Not according to the Dept. Homeland Security, the 7000 they just requested are defined as Personal Defense Weapons.
  
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Zoomer
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:07pm
To all those that don’t believe in some kind of gun control, I’d ask you to reconsider. This underscores the serious need for gun control legislation. I think it is clear it would be best if the government (at least certain parts) didn’t have so much easy access to guns.

BTW – if they need to defend themselves, they have a video that shows them how to grab a pair of scissors. Perhaps even a stapler (as long as it has ten or fewer staples in it)?

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- 338lapua
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 8:16pm
  The law abiding citizens of Milwaukee will not stand Idly by while a feeble and impotent Government farts away their security. They will remove this weapon from the lawless thugs BAMN (by any means necessary) that is a big lefty rallying cry here. So I am officially hijacking it and turning it against them tonight. Look for the puddle of urine where the lefty “leaders” of Milwaukee stand while trying to explain their incompetence!
  
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spfoam1
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:07pm
The Arm Their Friends agency strikes again. This administration is either the epitome of incompetence, or a Trojan horse. Just imagine this administration in charge of national defense, holding our lives in their hands. Just imagine it…….

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Brother_Terk
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:03pm
Our current administration arms street criminals, Cartels, civilians currently fighting their own government, and the muslim brotherhood…BUT want to take these and lesser guns away from law abiding citizens… wow just plain wow…

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Carlinpa
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:02pm
This is unreal. We hear stories all the time about innocent people being shot, fats and furious, this and probably many more that do not make the news. They seem to be doing more harm to innocent people per capita ten criminals!
Perhaps it’s the Government that shouldn’t be allowed to have guns..

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Jedrin
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:01pm
The BATFE has put more illegal guns on the streets than all the stolen guns in the country. That is the job title, Agent Provocateur.

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jungle J
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 1:01pm
The supervisor in charge should fall on his/her sword. Unfortunately, they will prolly get a motion.

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Jedrin
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 12:59pm
This is intentional, a nice cover to get a real assault rifle out in the hands of a set up gang member or demented mind control kid to get some headlines. And it is the BATFE not ATF, BATFE doesn’t deserve to wear a 3 letter tag.

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