Update: Did Operation ‘Fast and Furious’ Illegally Sell Guns to Criminals & Convicted Felons?
- Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:35pm by
Buck Sexton
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We at The Blaze have reported previously that the ATF, acting as part of Operation “Fast and Furious,” apparently sold guns to straw buyers near the US-Mexico border and lost track of the weapons. Many of these guns have reportedly ended up in the hands of Mexican drug cartel members, including at the crime scene of murdered U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.
Now, Fox News is reporting that the Feds refuse to clarify whether they knowingly sold guns not just to straw buyers, but to two convicted felon straw buyers, who were allegedly able to purchase 363 guns between them:
Fox claims to have access to records and sources that indicate the FBI, in conjunction with the ATF, did in fact sell weapons illegally to felon straw buyers, and did so despite the fact that FBI checks may have alerted authorities to the criminal records. It reports:
“According to court records… two of the 20 defendants indicted in the Fast and Furious investigation have felony convictions and criminal backgrounds that experts say, at the very least, should have delayed them buying a single firearm. Instead, the duo bought dozens of guns on multiple occasions while federal officials watched on closed-circuit cameras.
Congressional and law-enforcement sources say the situation suggests the FBI, which operates the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, knowingly allowed the purchases to go forward after consulting with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which initiated Operation Fast and Furious.
If true, this would likely magnify the already intense Congressional scrutiny faced by those in charge of Operation Fast and Furious, including Attorney General Eric Holder.
Trey Gowdy (R-SC), a former federal prosecutor and a member of the House Government Oversight and Reform Committee, stated in response to these accusations that, “You cannot sanction the violation of federal law by enabling or co-enabling prohibited persons, which includes felony convictions, from purchasing firearms.”
The FBI has declined to comment on the specific accusations of selling to the two named individuals above, according to Fox.
Tomorrow, the House Oversight Committee will hold a third hearing, focused on what was occurring on the other side of the border during this operation, including testimony by current and former ATF officials that they had never heard of the Operation until the scandal broke.
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Comments (141)
dontbotherme
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:26pmThis just keeps getting more & more sordid.
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:27pmI agree. Get out your popcorn brothers. This one just keeps getting more and more interesting (and infuriating).
Report Post »H2OBoardem
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:24pmThis is how a One-third-of-a term Senator and One-term President operates. This is all about ending the Second Amendment.
Report Post »texanpatriot
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:51pmWhat is going on with all of the questions pointed at this administration? They can do whatever they want and that should end all of this.
I am sick and tired of the citizens of this country thinking they have a right to question what our President and his friends do. Back off – what do you think he should do? Follow the Constitution????
Report Post »patriotforlife
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:24pmTurn in your guns before I come get em. Being disarmed will set you free!! obama 2012
Report Post »VermontPatriot
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:39pmCold……Dead…….Hands…….
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:57amThis one has alot of big government fish involved in it. It’s why Pelosi is feeding on of her lower level congressman to the wolves(ethic committee) to draw some of attention away from what will be the biggest scandal in Unconstitution federal actions in the last twenty years….Since BURNING 52 PEOPLE TO DEATH IN WACO FOR MULTIPLE FIREARMS PURCHASES…..
Report Post »Curioso
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 5:20pmI remember Hillary Clinton saying thousands of guns were crossing the border in one of her interviews. Hhhmmm Wonder what her involvement was in this and what prior knowledge she had when she made those remarks. I think this whole thing goes much deeper than what has been uncovered so far with all the roadblocks being put up by the administration and agencies involved. Including threatening congressional witnesses.
Report Post »DeliverUsFromEvil
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:13pm“Operation Fubar” would seem more fitting.
Report Post »DeliverUsFromEvil
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:35pmPerhaps Operation Fast and Furious was intended to be a precursor to a follow-up initiative of the administration arming felons to stand guard a polling stations across the country in 2012.
Just sayin’
Report Post »El Paso Girl
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:20pmYes….. I do believe so. It is a well known fact here in the border.
Report Post »flagbearer
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:20pmJust how long can people continue to protect and praise this administration? Harry Reid has the audacity to call the Tea Party extreme? Why won’t the GOP start saying on public media what needs to be said? The majority of Americans are being sold a bill of goods and they aren’t even aware of it.
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:08pmhttp://www.theblaze.com/stories/can-a-minor-offense-eliminate-your-right-to-bear-arms/
does not compute
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:21pmI agree. The Republicans are too worried about charges of liable or slander to come out on the record and acuse them of doing exactly what they’re doing. And you know nothing of this magnitude went on without Obama’s approval. He can’t say he knew, because it admits he’s a criminal, and he can‘t say he didn’t know because it shows he’s inept.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:28pmre: Why won’t the GOP start saying on public media what needs to be said? The majority of Americans are being sold a bill of goods and they aren’t even aware of it.
Report Post »****
Because the public media will cut the power on the mic before the news gets out. They probably teach in broadcast school nowadays that this is the TRUE purpose of the 60 second delay!
Gotta’ protect the progressives inacting the agenda no matter HOW EVIL OR CORRUPT THEY ARE!
V-MAN MACE
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:17pmSneak attack on the 2nd Amendment.
Felons should have gun rights too. They have paid their dues to society.
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:26pm@V-MAN MACE
You got it right!
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:27pmOOps… I”m not sure I agree with your second part… Depends on what the Felon was convicted of…If it involved a gun crime…I say no way….
I was agreeing to the sneak attack on the 2nd amendment.
Report Post »DaBig2na
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 12:40amNo THEY SHOULD NOT!
Regardless if they paid there debt with jail time
Report Post »They forfeited that right when they committed the felony
V-MAN MACE
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:25amThe key word in your statement is “regardless”.
If you intend to disregard their retribution, then why should a criminal regard your laws?
Why should anyone regard the constitution for that matter?
If I know the punishment I serve is going to be disregarded in terms of restoration of my rights, then why would I support your unjust legal system at all?
I would be better off and SAFER being an outlaw and retaining my right to bear arms for self-defense, then to observe your pettiness.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:40pm“would be better off and SAFER being an outlaw and retaining my right to bear arms for self-defense, then to observe your pettiness.”
They already did that and got caught. Too bad for them.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:09pmI repeat, on this issue someone at a high level, perhaps Holder needs some jail time. I do not want this to be resolved by a resignation.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:25pmPeople have died. Grand Jury indictments and convictions of the government agency participants/enablers is in order.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:45pmHolder needs to do the perp walk…….. right behind Obama.
Report Post »nomodimcrats
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:48pmthe reason we will, at most, see Eric Holder’s resignation is because once we started sending DC politicians to jail there would be an endless line that would need to go, and they’re not gonna start that.
as they say in Texas, “the fox is gaurding the henhouse.” Gaurding DC that is!
Report Post »LVMerrily
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:50pmTime for EQUAL justice. Treat the Democrat actions the same way you would had a Republican done this . . . but then look at who wants to use this fiasco as their reasoning for clamping down on “all the guns in the hands of criminals.” It just went sideways and they got caught with their finger in the gun cases.
Report Post »Make the Stupid People Shut Up
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:09pmWatergate wouldn‘t have happened if Nixon had been a Democrat so don’t expect this to go anywhere because Obama (the Peter Principle on steroids) is a Democrat
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:21pm@Make the Stupid People Shut Up
Report Post »I like your name. It needs repeating.
Make the Stupid People Shut Up
Make the Stupid People Shut Up
Make the Stupid People Shut Up
DeliverUsFromEvil
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:18pm@makethestupidpeopleshutup
Love your handle. LMAO. I needed that, thank you.
Report Post »matt708
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:07pmholder neds to be put in jail
Report Post »Mike Z4000
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:07pmAs I have contended when I first learned of this issue, who is to say that these guns were not really intended for the Hezbollah that are amassing on our Mexican border? If Mexico supplied guns to Hezbollah and they attacked America, it would be an act of war!!! If America supplied the guns to Hezbollah, then it would only be a crime. So for diplomatic reasons alone, Obama and Eric Holder would have to have known. For a government agency to create an international incident to blind side the president. Not Happening!!!!
IMPEACH OBAMA NOW AND CONVICT IN THE SENATE FOR TREASON!!!!
Report Post »Arrest Eric Holder for “Conspiracy to commit murder” and “Complicity in the death of Officer Brian Terry!!!! If he approved the sell of gun to a convicted felon, he is complicit in any resultant action/crime commited with that gun. This administration is at it’s core, EVIL!!!!
dmerwin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:16pmMike you have a point here at least in regarding Holder. You may not get conspiracy “Ahh, we didn’t want those guns to be used”. But accessory to negligent murder looks provable. He knew, took no action to stop it and shares responsibility for the outcome. They will say Obama did not fully know what the operation was. Holder is responsible to know and after he learned is responsible for subsequent events.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:19pmHolder Knew In 2009!!!!!
Report Post »http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/MexicoBor&start=800
Liberty1791
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:06pmCmon guys FRY THEM all the way up to the BIG IMPOSTER in the WH
Report Post »TEIN
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:02pmCompare this to what Pres. Nixon did and was impeached for….
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:09pmYeah, and Nixon didn’t have C-Span to prove his lying and still ended up resigning.
Report Post »http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/MexicoBor&start=800
HKS
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:09pmAll marching orders come through Obama, notice I said through, responsibility goes back the same way but it stops with Obama. Maybe he should ponder that.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:25pmThey impeached Clinton but didn’t throw him out of office. It happens every time a democrat is involved. If any Republican had done what Rangel did, not only would they be kicked out of office, but would have been tried in court also.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:58pmFact of the matter is, constitutionally, a person who serves their time and does their community-controlled sanction/probation or parole or whatever, ought to have their full rights restored. Including gun rights. They have paid their dues.
Nevertheless, this entire fiasco is an egregious sneak attack on the 2nd Amendment.
Obama, Holder, AND Napolitano needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:35pmre : Obama, Holder, AND Napolitano needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law
Report Post »***
Just curious: “Do you think since they used organized agencies or bureaus to commit these crimes, that the RICO statutes apply?”
V-MAN MACE
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 5:44amMost definitely.
They are operating a racket with the Cartels, helping them move drugs, guns, cash, and humans, while simultaneously fighting a “War on drugs” on the American people and locking folks up for eternity for the drugs they’re conspiring to keep illegal in the interest of their partners, the Cartels.
Report Post »loggs14
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:31pmI am on the fence. I grew up with knowing you commit a felony and your gun rights are gone. However we do not suspend your freedom or speech, your choice of religion, we sometimes take your voting rights and sometimes the search and seizure laws are waived. We surely are not consistent…. I am going to have to think about this one, but as a purest you should get your rights back if you served your time… but seeing the left is all about letting criminals out of jail early I am not so sure.
I hate the MSM is ignoring this fast and furious thing…. wtf… I hope we can all keep it alive as it is the nail to make sure Obama is not re-elected, along with every other failure to his credit the MSM media tries to hide. The polls are starting to reflect their dislike and sureness he is gone in ‘12…
Holder might actually be worst then Clinton’s AG… wow, then again I thought no one would suck as much as Carter but Obama has lowered that bar way down now too
Report Post »vorpal
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:55pmthese are Holders people too…
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:10pmGuilty of treason (oh yes) and also for violating the federal firearms laws. Each is a crime and imprisonable-yes, even to the law enforcement who KNOWINGLY permitted the illegal purchase of the firearms. For the life of me I cannot understand why an OFFICIAL investigation has not been initiated and ATF/FBI officials have not been placed in jail. Should they decide to lie during an official investigation, that is another crime.
I know this b.s. “fast and furious” agenda involves our officials at the HIGHEST levels,,,maybe that’s why it appears to be covered up. The longer we wait, the more they can bury. I guess it’s NOT a rumor that our goverment leaders CAN commit crimes, not be held for it, yet, we would be in jail and charged.
What they are doing involves conspiracy laws,,,,also which is an imprisonable crime. WTF!!!
Report Post »bitter clinger
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:54pmAll persons involved are hereby sentenced to three years community service as a border patrol agent.
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:10pmWithout guns!
Report Post »OhioRifleman
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:36amOh hell no, they wouldn’t do their job, all they would do is let the Illegals through without even so much as a word to them.
I suggest a lifetime of serfdom to the family of Brian Terry. After all, it was Holder’s decisions which ultimately armed the bastard that killed him, therefore it is his family’s dues to reap.
Report Post »compatriotshonor
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:51pmGOD ALMIGHTY!
Eric holder isn’t going to step down lightly folks. It’s going to take obama to do it, which will never happen, because obama needs his ‘BOY”, to do what the POTUS wants him to do and when everything hits the fan, holder gets kicked out of opffice and brought up on charges, he’s going to implicate obama on the whole mater, when there isn’t going to be a paper trail to follow the prez, except maybe of course, samantha powers, the one that is engaged in international affairs at the white house, to take the ultimate fall for fast and furious opperations.
Report Post »You just watch and see, this is all going to end badly folks and the american public is going to be the blame to all that is socialist in government today!
De minimus
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:57pmThese actions exemplify the crime of treason, not simply little crimes, paid for by tax dollars. Seems to me that the crime of treason carries a slightly higher penalty than simply removal from office.
Report Post »code green
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:08pmIt is not treason, but it is obviously falling into the catagory of “high crimes and misdemeanors”.
Report Post »Then again there are so many of those it is hard to count. The eunichs in congress won’t do any thing about it, let alone the wholly owned Obama Justice Dept.
I have totally lost faith in America being based on law. God rest the constitution.
Will the last patriot that leaves the United States for the new country of Texas turn out the lights.
Mike Z4000
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:12pmWell you may believe that but remember the RON BROWN story during the Clinton Administration. When he was getting indicted, he mysteriously was a victim of a plane crash. And the Clinton Administration was totally corrupt, however the Obama Administration to it’s core is EVIL!!!
Report Post »salvawhoray
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:50pmi’ll be the first one to put a gun in his dead hand. lol lol and an American flag sticking in his afro.
Report Post »MadBrad
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:48pmSounds like some serious RICO violations here.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:47pmHolder Knew everything in 2009.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/MexicoBor&start=800
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and Deputy Attorney General David Ogden held a news conference March 2009 to announce the U.S.-Mexico Border Security Policy.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:53pmListen from 16:45.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:46pmNo
Report Post »Barry Barack Hussein Obama Soetoro and Eric Holder gave guns to Mexican Drug cartel members, and now possibly Barry Barack Hussein Obama Soetoro and Eric Holder gave guns to Convicted Felons. Antney Weiner resigned over photos and texts and cheating on his pregnant bride. What’s wrong with this picture??
Jim in Houston
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:01pmWhat is wrong with this picture is Barack Hussein Oblamer and Eric the Red Holder. The Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber of corruption.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:46pmre : What’s wrong with this picture??
Report Post »****
Yes, let’s go back to the pictures ! It’s all in WHO YOU KNOW!!!
Remember all those campaign pictures where George Soros is sitting quietly behind or off to the side of BO?
Arc
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:46pmHeroin Kills, Cocaine Kills, Marijuana Kill, Crack Kills, Guns Kill, Alcohol Kills, War Kills,Speed Kills,
Report Post »Stupidity Kills, …………………………………………….
Jim in Houston
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:01pmCoke doesn’t necessarily kill or Oblamer would be dead already.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:46pmImpeach enemy-obama!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:43pmSounds to me like what I and others have been saying-the whole damn administration knew about it and should be thrown out!
Report Post »yosemitefan
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:16pmSeems someone high up DOJ or ATF was paid to allow those shipments to Mexico and Honduras – follow the money. I bet we will find some corrupt individuals got well paid to look the other way.
Report Post »Reflectionography
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:41pmThey’re creating a problem so that they can present the solution. Gun Control
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:27pmWhat is the punishment when those sworn to uphold the Constitution break laws to undermine it? I think some social justice is in order starting with AG-Holder!
Report Post »Goodgriefgeezlouise
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:40pmEric Holder..Go straight to jail..Do not collect $200..
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:58pmre : do not collect $200.
Report Post »****
Probably has a whole lot more than that in offshore accounts by now, and a huge “Get out of jail free card”! Remember all the convicted felons Bill Clinton pardoned as he was leaving office. Even impeached and convicted, I could see BO’s legal advisors saying he has the right to do his “Leaving office pardons”, for himself and any of his staff who are in prison and a bevy of lawyers lined up to argue his point BEFORE THIS SUPREME COURT! I WOULDN’T WANT TO MAKE BET ON HOW THE DECISION WOULD COME DOWN, WOULD ANYONE ELSE?
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:40pmYa think? Eric Holder should be jailed. At least kicked out of office.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:38pmOllie North!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:48pmThanks Ollie
A true American Hero, Thanks Again
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:11pm“A true American Hero, Thanks Again”
Report Post »I’ll second that sentiment.
Jaycen
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:44pmUnfortunately, Oliver North wasn’t part of this scandal, so you’ll have to take up the cause somewhere else at another time.
You might also consider that selling weapons to insurgents resisting Communist invasion is a little different from selling weapons to known felons for the purpose of “tracking where weapons go in Mexico”. I mean, it’s not A LOT different. Just a tiny bit different.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:37pmJaycen, a commie would be p***ed that Ollie was giving guns and assistance to the Contras to thwart the communist Sandinistas.
Report Post »