ATF Agent Gets Tased by Local PD, Files Lawsuit for ‘Use of Excessive Force’

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ATF Agent Gets Tased by Local PD, Files Lawsuit for 'Use of Excessive Force'
The agent can be see gesturing in this body cam footage. (Photo: Columbus PD/WOSU Public Media)

In what many gun owners will consider an act of karma for the ATF’s recent pistol brace guidance, a federal agent was tased earlier this year by two police officers in Columbus, Ohio, while he was attempting to confiscate a shotgun. The agent is seeking damages from the two officers and the city for the “physical and psychological” injuries he suffered during the incident.

Agent James Burk, a 16-year veteran of the ATF, said in his lawsuit that he was working a “routine” assignment on July 7 to confiscate a shotgun from someone who was not permitted to own a firearm, according to local media.

The homeowner called 911 when Burke knocked on the door and demanded that he produce his credentials. The dispatcher told the homeowner not to open the door and dispatched to the scene two 20-year veteran officers, Joseph Fihe and Kevin Winchell.

“When Fihe arrived at the scene, Agent Burk stood outside the home’s front door and waved the officer over to where he was standing,” the lawsuit said. “Even though Agent Burk had both hands raised and had represented that he is a federal agent, officer Fihe immediately drew his weapon and pointed it … while simultaneously screaming at (Burk) to get on the ground.”

SEE ALSO: NSSF on Polymer80 ATF Raid: Consult an Attorney Before Selling ‘Buy Build Shoot’ Kits

Burk claims he was wearing “casual professional” attire and had his credentials on a lanyard around his neck.

Fihe pointed his firearm at the ATF agent for more than 90 seconds, Burk claims in his suit, before both Fihe and Winchell “climbed on his back while violently twisting and pulling his arms to handcuff him.”

The officers also tased Burk multiple times before handcuffing him and placing him in the back of a cruiser.

Burk was released without charges about an hour later, but not before he was “frequently disparaged… to everyone in earshot” by Fihe and denied water. Burk also claims the Columbus Police Department shared the body cam footage of the incident within the department “for no apparent purpose.” 

The federal agent was so traumatized and physically injured by the incident that he has moved to an administrative role within the ATF.

In a strange and equally hilarious twist, this “James Burk” appears to be the same ATF agent who was accused of stealing wine from a grocery store in 2015.

SEE ALSO: Murky New ATF Standards Worrying Gun Companies, Importers and More

The ATF has been in the news frequently in the last few months for its back-and-forth rulings on arm braces designed to be used with large-frame pistols. After years of guidance suggesting these arm braces did not transform a pistol into an NFA-regulated short-barreled rifle, the agency seems to have reversed course this week, issuing guidance that each firearm will be judged on a “case-by-case basis.”

Gun-rights groups have vowed to challenge the notice, and gun owners will have the chance to comment on the proposed rules.

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  • Scott July 26, 2022, 12:39 am

    He had his lanyard badge around his neck but it was tucked in his shirt. Towards the ned you can hear him say he forgot it was there

  • SomeRandom January 26, 2021, 8:23 am

    Remember the alphabet agencies will raze your home, church or wherever you gather, with women and children locked inside to prove a point. They are not on your side. They demand full compliance and the courts will do nothing to save you or your family.

  • JPH January 1, 2021, 2:19 pm

    So many things wrong here. Assuming this story is accurate as reported, this Special Agent is going out on an enforcement action alone? With a quick phone call, the uniformed officers could have been his backup instead of the other half of a needless arrest encounter. Inexcusable that the Special Agent was the least bit non-compliant, let alone so non-compliant that he had to be tased and cuffed? I’ll bet my M4 he’s on administrative duty because he so badly screwed the pooch, and pissed all over the relationship between the PD and the local ATF office.

  • Gerry Rhoades December 31, 2020, 11:04 am

    Aw, to bad. Why wasnt he fired for theft? Typical government scumbag

  • Andrew Schneiderman December 30, 2020, 11:40 am

    I will always support our fellow LEOS on the State/Local side. However, First and foremost, Federal Law Enforcement LEOs are NOT required to notify State/Local LEOs about on going investigations or knock and talks, warrants ect….. Second, the ATF Agent IDENTIFIED himself and had a visible badge around his neck. The State/local LEOs SHOULD take precautions to protect themselves AND SHOULD allow for the proper identification of the Federal LEO. These 2 State/Local LEOS and the department ARE LIABLE for ALL claims and a redress of grievances. These young bucks acted with typical loin reactions and excessive use of force. Unfortunately, there is so much lack of mutual respect between LEO agencies on the Federal and State/Local side. While we don’t always wear a uniform, we SHOULD be respected in our performance of duties for we ALL take the same oath.
    Please be safe out there.

    • Richmond Estes August 21, 2021, 5:06 pm

      All gun laws are tyranny and unconstitutional. Local LE should detain and arrest ALL feds that step on the rights of citizens.

  • PB- dave December 27, 2020, 10:21 pm

    What happened to the “mutual respect” between agencies ?
    If this was an inspection trip, 1 agent would be understandable, but to confiscate weapons from someone shouldn’t there have been 2 agents ?
    This whole thing smells funny…..

  • Bob Clark December 27, 2020, 5:13 pm

    “climbed on his back while violently twisting and pulling his arms to handcuff him.”
    “The officers also tased Burk multiple times before handcuffing him and placing him in the back of a cruiser”.

    Welcome to the rest of the world mothergrabber. He’s no better than the rest of us and as a matter of fact, isn’t as good (stealing wine, what a lowlife). He didn’t need to steal any whine, he’s got plenty. What a wus.

  • Trevor Teague December 26, 2020, 5:00 pm

    It’s unfortunate it was just a tazer and not half a magazine of HST’s. That’s what all tyrant boot lickers disserve.

    • Gerry Rhoades December 31, 2020, 11:06 am

      Amen brother, hopefully the first agency to go by by in the up coming revolution

  • phil December 25, 2020, 10:23 pm

    Too many badged enforcement feds running around on non-fed property without authority. see Article 1, Sec. 8. of the Constitution. Stay off of no fed property!

  • leonard December 25, 2020, 10:22 pm

    been kicked off youtube by the google goons already because of my comments, so we will see if gunsamerica.com is google owned.

    the atf agent/thief should have been let into the house instead of the home owner dialing 911. the thief was most likely there all by himself to keep on stealing. i have been to prison 4 times but when i find a $100 bill on the floor at arbies resturant i ask the persons in front of me if they dropped any money. when my 2 year old son grabs a candy bar while im paying for some tools at ace hardware and i do not notice until we are outside, i explain to him that he needs to ask me for a candy, and take him back inside and apologize and pay for the candy.

    the home owner could very easily hold the agent at gun point, and then make arrangements for the agent to turn up elsewhere, while he remains at home.
    but unless easily identified as law enforcement, you are identified as a criminal when the home owner decides that is the course of action.

    you readers need to decide today your plan of action when someone comes to your home with intentions to take what is yours, either your going to hand over everything without a fight, or your going to make plans on exactly what is going to happen even if your family could possibly get hurt. if you are willing to let your children live in a country where they do NOT have the right to keep and bear arms, either sell your guns now or call and hand them over to the police tomorrow morning, they will only cause you grief later on anyway.

    or you can take a stand now and support EVERYONE’S RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, EVEN FELONS.
    after all the founding fathers were felons the very day the committed conspiracy against the king of england!

  • Mikial December 25, 2020, 10:15 pm

    Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

  • Norm Fishler December 25, 2020, 8:45 pm

    Typical. They can dish it out, but cannot take it.

  • Jeff December 25, 2020, 5:49 pm

    Just so were clear, local police didn’t just tase this guy for no reason… Even though the body cam video hasn’t been released, I’m sure the ATF agent was up to no good. He was likely not complying to lawful commands given by responding police to begin with. In addition, lone ATF agents don’t go out confiscating firearms from people so his actual purpose for being there is dubious on face value alone. Sounds to me like he was trying to get himself a free shotgun. Also, if he was a Criminal Investigator with the ATF, conducting actual enforcement action, then he would have a visible badge and or be wearing clearly labled outerwear with “POLICE-ATF”, and/or “FEDERAL AGENT” affixed to it. He would not have his “credentials on a lanyard around his neck”. Also, since he specifically says he had his “credentials on a lanyard around his neck” that tells me that he does not have an actual metal badge because he is not an 1811 series Criminal Investigator and is likely a General Investigator without sworn powers of arrest. He is most likely an 1810 series, Industry Operations Investigator, or some other random non-sworn ATF employee who do not go around confiscating firearms from criminals. Lastly, the ATF does not do the background checks for firearms purchases, that is done by the FBI. If the FBI background checker decides that a person is illegally in possession of a firearm then they contact the local police department and have regular police officers confiscate the firearm. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule, especially when it’s a large investigation where they would send in a dozen ATF agents but they would never do that for one random guy who bought a shotgun. That ATF agent is likely screwed and will lose his job soon enough. The federal government is usually very slow in processes like this because they have to jump through so many hoops to terminate a permanent government employee. Dude most likely deserves to be not only fired but also to face criminal charges for attempted burglary, impersonating a federal law enforcement agent, obstruction, and resisting arrest.

  • Andrew December 25, 2020, 3:18 pm

    Hahahahaha!!!!

    • Jesse Tiede December 26, 2020, 12:37 am

      Sucks when that haughty Federal Agent Title doesn’t get you a pass… Normally, I would be on the Agent’s side, and said, based on what was reported, that the Columbus PD over reacted and should never have drawn their firearms, but, this was an ATF Agent, who has undoubtedly used excessive force in performance of his job, too! I’ve known several ATF guys, and only one had his head on straight, but even he may have been corrupted by the his peers…

  • Nasty Nick December 25, 2020, 3:08 pm

    Good job local Columbus PD! Let’s make this a common occurrence and drain those pieces of s—t’s back to DC! It’s nice when feds get reminded just who they work for, The People.

  • Alan December 25, 2020, 2:28 pm

    This ATF “agent” is nothing more than a common thief. Looking to score stealing expensive wine. Surprise, he’s suing the cops! Just a common thief again looking for a payday.

    If he had legitimate business he should have been wearing clothing that clearly identified him as a LEO. You know those blue jackets with the word “POLICE “ in huge yellow letters. And IF he had legitimate business he should have notified local law enforcement and requested assistance BEFORE attempting to conduct law enforcement business.

    Hmmm a known thief going to seize a valuable piece of property with no partner, no notification to local law enforcement, no uniform sounds awfully suspicious to me.

    This cum wad brought this on himself. Next time IF you are conducting legitimate law enforcement business notify local law enforcement, wear proper attire, have backup and don’t be a shit for brains. It will go much better for you.

  • Frank December 25, 2020, 2:05 pm

    The ATF agent’s story stinks. Confiscations are not done by one agent. Two go together. Looks like some lying is going on by the agent.

    • John F Merrick December 25, 2020, 6:40 pm

      As a retired Treasury agent I agree completely. At least two agents and you notify the PD before hand. Something is fishy.

  • Bonrs December 25, 2020, 1:59 pm

    And its pretty obvious.. law enforcement training and integrity has been lacking for decades and decades ….they are ultimately a slice of society.. stupid , weak and uneducated..

  • Bones December 25, 2020, 1:55 pm

    Hey wait .. is this the pot callin da kettle black?lol.. wish this happened more often for some eye opening .

  • Bill December 25, 2020, 1:25 pm

    From what I could gather from the article, I see that larceny is still alive and well amongst us, and that such as those with some degree of public enforcement authority still believe they are somehow above the law, and any such criminal actions will always be handled “internally” as they all pass around the ill-begotten gains for a sip of the “evidence.” Corruption is still the name of the game and standard procedure, as well. Please pass the bottle.

  • Nasty Old Fed December 25, 2020, 11:00 am

    Since I am a nasty old federal law enforcement officer I have always taken great joy from the fact when the fact the fact the when the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms was under the Department of the Treasury they were allowed to be hired with the lowest scores on the Treasury Enforcement Officers test! One of the young officers from the Uniform Division of The United States Secret Service said to me in December we are to the Treasury Department I just looked him and said “Dream on junior you are just like the guy who traded mama for a younger hotter model and now you are broke and she has kicked you to the curb and you want to come back home to mama and it will never happen. The place was the Fraternal Order of Police in Washington and everyone started laughing at him.

    • Bill December 25, 2020, 5:10 pm

      You are not an FLEO … they can read and write. That makes you not only a liar, but an illiterate one at that.

    • Swingin' Richard December 26, 2020, 7:42 pm

      Lowest scores, huh? So…did they not test your English ability? I cannot make any sense of the drivel you seem to have typed. I actually retired from Fed service and they put me through a grinder to be sure I not only understood complex legal issues, but that I could speak and write about same coherently. And I had to learn Spanish really fast. I honestly don’t believe even the TSA would have hired you with the English “skills” you possess.

  • Dexter Winslett December 25, 2020, 10:40 am

    Good job officers.

    • christopher scallio December 25, 2020, 2:17 pm

      Just like when two revenuers climbed Ole’ Rocky Top & Never came down. Recon they never will.

  • Loren December 25, 2020, 10:38 am

    It’s hard to tell with federal law breaking agency is more corrupt FBI or ATF? Both are worth less and exist to violate the constitution.

  • SteveO December 25, 2020, 9:26 am

    Why doesn’t the ATF notify the local PD that they will be serving a warrant at a certain time and what address.
    This would make it easier for the local PD. I guess Big Brother just think they are Top Gun in law enforcement.

    • Dan Crocker December 25, 2020, 11:58 am

      Agreed. This guy is a cowboy and doesn’t think he needs to inform local law enforcement about what he’s planning. Not smart at all. What he SHOULD have done was stop by the PD and inform them what he was doing and heck, maybe even have an officer accompany him. Common sense people. Something this dude is lacking.

      I did love his write up though… written by an obvious drama queen.

    • Bill December 25, 2020, 5:12 pm

      The honest ones do. They can also use the encrypted radio channels to notify them immediately prior if there is a leak suspected in the local department.

  • BW December 25, 2020, 9:24 am

    You REAP what you SOW ATF!!!
    No sympathy for the ATF

  • MagnumOpUS December 25, 2020, 9:15 am

    So one guy has 16 years with the ATF and the other two have 20 years with the PD; I bet they’ve run into each other before, with the Fed being awfully proud of his badge.

    This was an opportunity for oneupmanship that was hard to pass up. LOL!

  • Mudhunter December 25, 2020, 8:42 am

    Not karma, but the attitude local government should have, via the 2nd, 4th, 9th, 10th and 14th amendments, towards null and void federal agencies. Police swore an oath for their citizen’s rights. This is a very minor enforcement of that oath. When we see ATF agents arrested and paraded on TV for oppression under color of authority and treason, then you know you have a bunch of serious cops and DAs.

    If an agency’s existence is outside the restrictions on, or limited functions of the US Constitution, the states and the counties and the cities should have this automatic approach. Capricious and arbitrary minor violators of the Constitution will be arrested.

    There can not be any type of professionalism, legitimacy or courtesy in an organization that is design to control free and peaceable citizens, and to violate their rights not just in minor ways, but in excessive and dangerous ways. Their history has proven that to be the case every time.

    • Richmond Estes August 21, 2021, 5:20 pm

      TL&DR – ATF sucks and needs to have it’s door closed AsAP

  • Larry Lesh December 25, 2020, 8:09 am

    Assault on a federal agent who is properly identified is a felony under federal law. Both officers may be subject to serious jail time, fines and loss of officer certification. He was legally there on federal business and interference from local police is not to be tolerated.

    • Les December 25, 2020, 10:24 am

      Crawl back under your rock, you sound like a dem supporter. People under the protection of the constitution should not be subjected to any type of harassment by any gov’t entity period and this sissy is one of the tuff guys that when in a group treat people like shit but like all of them by himself is a coward.

      • Andrew December 25, 2020, 3:39 pm

        It sounds to me like you’re one of the guys that are against law-enforcement because you’re a felon! Every time I hear or see someone down talking federal and local law-enforcement about gun rights they’re all admittedly convicted felons. This ATF agent with merrily doing his job those two officers should’ve been charged with a federal obstruction And had I’ve been there they would’ve been! Local PD is supposed to service back up, work with us, not against us! I hope someone is pushing for these two offices to be charged with felony obstruction of a federal law-enforcement officer!

        • Richmond Estes August 21, 2021, 5:23 pm

          The fed was obviously acting outside protocol – you are obviously connected to his boot via your snake like tongue. Feds who try and step solo deserve much more than a little taser shock

    • John December 25, 2020, 10:25 am

      Not when the officers are acting under good faith. Our agency has policies for when you are serving warrants or in person subpoenas. You need to have clear identifiers visible and you never serve processes alone. It’s like getting pulled over by a guy who has emergency lights on his POV and gets out wearing civilian clothes, that’s how people get shot. I can tell officers I’m a federal agent all day but if officers responding don’t know who I am for sure, without prior notification, or without seeing my creds first and I have no raid jacket with agency identifiers or vest with clear agency identifiers, then police are well within reason to take all precautions necessary until proper identification has been made. I have never served any process alone and even when I do interviews or knock and talks, I either take a marked unit and uniformed local PD with me or another Agent. There’s a reason why federal agencies usually have task force officers from local and surrounding departments.

    • Huapakechi December 25, 2020, 11:02 am

      If he was there to seize an illegally owned shotgun, he should have had the proper paperwork authorizing the seizure. Was he attempting to “score” himself a shotgun?
      Too many of these bureau officials see themselves as being above the law.

      • CR Oitsch December 25, 2020, 3:01 pm

        This was my exact thought … how many bottles of expensive wine could be buy after selling a shotgun on the “fast and furious” market place. And why is this kind of agent still employed there? Likely sooo many more of this type.

        • Bill December 25, 2020, 5:23 pm

          The guy got busted breaking the law himself when he pinched the wine. WHY is he still permitted to enforce laws against other people?
          Seriously … I expect cops to be squeaky clean — and I am not alone it this expectation.

    • Kane December 25, 2020, 12:21 pm

      Tell that to General Flynn…

  • Ghost December 25, 2020, 7:40 am

    ATF is a Rogue Treasonous Agency. They think they are elected Law Makers. Example of this is bump stocks, & SBA’s which “They” decided to be illegal. Remember Waco where they burned Women and Children with zero remorse.

    • SD DENTON December 25, 2020, 10:52 am

      You are wrong Ghost. The outlawing of bump stocks was not initiated by the ATF. The outlawing of bump stocks was implemented by executive order by President Trump.

      • Huapakechi December 25, 2020, 11:06 am

        Cite the source for your information.
        If President Trump had “outlawed” bump stock appliances, there would be no vacillating by the agency regarding the ban.

      • Kane December 25, 2020, 12:33 pm

        No SD DENTON. The BATFE reviewed the “bump stocks” under BHO and the device was “approved.”

        After the mass shooting in Las Vegas Trump was under pressure to get some legislation but the Dems did NOT want to work with the POTUS.

        The NRA urged Trump to NOT seek a ban by EO. Instead Trump used the Department of Justice to pressure the subordinate bureau to reverse it’s earlier determination.

        Ghost is correct in saying “ATF is a Rogue Treasonous Agency.”

  • michael December 25, 2020, 7:31 am

    Why does he still have a job ?

  • Dr Motown December 25, 2020, 6:50 am

    What happened with the liquor theft charges? Quietly dismissed?🤔

  • Ozark Muleskinner December 25, 2020, 6:01 am

    The highly possible impending advent of a fraudulent, Communist Biden-Harris Presidential Administration, portends consequential attempts to increase the power of the Federal government, at the expense of rightful and Constitutional State, Local and Citizen Bill Of Brights sovereignty. Ergo, we will see MORE rather than less of such incidental villainy in the next four years.

    Rust, rot and government tyranny NEVER sleep. Each will do ALL it can to extend its vile reach into our lives and the soul of our God-given Representative Democracy Republic.

    Be vigilant, be strong and guard jealously the jewels of Liberty and Freedom with which we Americans have been uniquely blessed by our Creator. NEVER assume complacency nor take for granted these blessings, for which so many patriots have striven mightily, bled and died to secure for us and our children and grandchildren!

  • Ozark Muleskinner December 25, 2020, 5:54 am

    The highly possible impending advent of a fraudulent, Communist Biden-Harris Presidential Administration, portends consequential attempts to increase the power of the Federal government, at the expense of rightful and Memories And Tactics
    by L. Neil Smith

    America today stands on the last few agonizingly slow upward feet of the great roller-coaster of history, about to take an enormous, scary plunge into glory or oblivion, who the hell knows which? Did I mention? I hate roller-coasters.
    Whether Donald J. Trump emerges victorious, as I suspect he will, or the communists are allowed to cheat their way into power, in one sense, the path ahead is clear to all lovers of individual liberty. Freedom must be secured; private capitalism must endure; and with them, American exceptionalism. Four more years of Trump’s leadership won’t make that any less imperative. Two things, above all, must be accomplished.

    The first concerns compulsory, tax-supported public “education”, which I recently posted about on Facebook and started a long discussion. I’m afraid I failed to make it sufficiently clear that this is a moral problem. No good can ever be accomplished by any institution populated by coercion and funded by coercion. Ends, means, and the Zero Aggression principle, remember? What I said, more or less, was this:

    “If, by some happy chance, America manages to wriggle out of the current mess we find ourselves in, before we do anything else, we must attend to the one establishment that, more than any other, got us here in the first place: so-called “public education” a purely collectivist institution, inspired by Prussian authoritarianism, that has somehow neglected to teach our children about the deeply-flawed philosophical underpinnings of socialism which allowed 200 million innocent people to be murdered in the 20th century alone. I also neglected to tell them anything about the billions of individual human beings whom capitalism has fed, clothed, sheltered, and lifted out of the lifelong grinding poverty and abject servitude of the last ten thousand years of Mankind’s history.

    “Forget the public schools’ lowly, ignominious, shameful failure even to inculcate elementary “reading and writing and ’rithmatic”. Their purpose has been to discourage young minds and to prevent learning—something they’ve accomplished brilliantly. Their abysmal—and unquestionably deliberate—unwillingness to defend the Founding Fathers’ monumental accomplishments can never be forgotten or forgiven. As I have written many times before, the public schools must be utterly obliterated, their buildings emptied out, razed to the ground so that not one tainted brick is left standing on another, and salt sown on the ruins. I don’t give a bleeding squat what replaces them. Whatever it is, anything will be vastly better than the festering mess we see steaming before us now.

    “If the worst happens, our task is still the same.” Unquote.
    Our other urgent task must be to … well, “extirpate” is the best word I can think of (look it up). We must extirpate every last, lingering microscopic trace of what they’re calling “socialism” from America. This is a vile socio-economic system under which your neighbors get to vote about your life, your liberty, and your property. “Sure, we’re gonna take away your AK-47!” Calling it something else doesn’t make it any better. If you remember nothing else from this essay, remember this: there is no such thing as “democratic” socialism. I’ll say it again, just to make sure: there is no such thing as “democratic” socialism. History clearly demonstrates that coercion is written indelibly into its very DNA. Once again it’s a moral matter. If the group decides that it has more rights than you, the individual, and that you must pay for whatever it votes among itself to take from you or do, that’s socialism, and it’s an evil that has killed hundreds of millions.
    How do we fight it? Well, I’m firmly convinced that Rush Limbaugh saved us from the Clinton Co-presidency when they were in office, and he did it with the mighty weapon of ridicule. He made them the laughing-stock of the planet.

    The communist Chinese government and the leaders of Iran hate and fear ridicule and have made it a prison offense.
    While we still have something resembling free speech in America, we must use our powers of ridicule to the fullest. Joseph Biden is easy. He will never truly be president of anything. At best, he is a worn-out rubber douche-bag somebody refashioned into a hand-puppet. Admittedly, Kamala Harris is a different matter. She’s clearly a hard-eyed, ruthless, professional collectivist. As I said of Hillary Clinton when her husband was elected, there is the reek of the death-camps about her.

    A momentary aside for a story that will illuminate what I’m talking about. Back in 1974, almost half a century ago, I had just survived a very painful divorce. I was twenty-eight, and lived half a block from the college campus. I decided that was the best place to find feminine companionship. I enrolled in something—I don’t remember what—and for some reason began to attend weekly meetings of the Young Socialist Alliance, a youth offshoot of the Socialist Workers’ Party. I had been a libertarian for twelve years, by then.

    I loved the banter. I told that handful of enthusiastic young kids about my experiences in the freedom movement, and they told me, “Of course we’re against gun control—how can you fight a revolution without guns?” I thought that was hilarious. I even went to a local bar with a bunch of them where a Congressman I knew (and who knew me) saw me and said, “You’re in kind of strange company aren’t you?” And, indeed, I was.

    But there was one guy at those YSA meetings, about my age, with the hard-bitten look of a professional. He was their political officer, in effect, and he didn’t much like my influence on his charges. I looked at him across the room and he recognized the professional in me—except that I was truly dangerous. I was armed with the same sense of humor that had gotten me banned, more or less, from the local Objectivist group.

    A few years later, a local bookstore manager had called me “the most dangerous writer in America” because my first novel, The Probability Broach won people over by making them laugh. It has been savagely suppressed ever since.

    Time passed and I didn’t find whatever I was looking for on the campus. I gradually drifted away from the young socialists and their baleful ideological supervisor. I learned later that they’d been brought into line and now supported victim disarmament. But I never forgot that grim expression and those eyes. They are the same expression and the same eyes I see on Kamerade Kamala Harris. Happily, she’s not terribly bright, and socialism is a very fragile doctrine that can’t stand up to any amount of free speech—which explains why every one of its traitorous allies from Twitter to CNN is trying to censor us.

    I once stood up to a self-important high school principal trying to censor my column in the school newspaper. I simply wrote around the son of a bitch, and he never realized that he’d been thwarted. You can do the same. Let’s start by collecting Kamala Harris jokes. Send them to Editor Ken here at TLE—if you’ve got any Russian friends they can probably help you—and go from there.

    Let the humor commence! Where We Go 1, We Go All.

    From L. Neil Smith’s The Libertarian Enterprise
    https://ncc-1776.org/tle2020/tle1096-20201206-02.html Constitutional State, Local and Citizen Bill Of Brights sovereignty. Ergo, we will see MORE rather than less of such incidental villainy in the next four years.

    Rust, rot and government tyranny NEVER sleep. Each will do ALL it can to extend its vile reach into our lives and the soul of our God-given Representative Democracy Republic.

    Be vigilant, be strong and guard jealously the jewels of Liberty and Freedom with which we Americans have been uniquely blessed by our Creator. NEVER assume complacency nor take for granted these blessings, for which so many patriots have striven mightily, bled and died to secure for us and our children and grandchildren!

    • Jaye Jackson December 25, 2020, 1:24 pm

      I absolutely agree with your comments! right on target let’s hope 2021 will be much better than the one we are closing out! Merry Christmas!

  • SD December 25, 2020, 4:34 am

    I cant believe the comments I’m reading. What the hell is wrong with you people. If the ATF agent was confiscating a firearm from someone who could not legally own one I thought that was his job. I don’t know about you but it’s my belief that you have to get firearms out of the hands of criminals. Otherwise the gun control nuts will come after everybody’s. This sounds like an over reaction by a couple of rogue cops. 1- the ATF agent had his hands in the air and clearly visible. 2- The ATF agent had an ID around his neck. 3- The ATF agent did not resist arrest, threaten or act aggressively toward the police officers. If anyone should be locked up it would be the 2 police officers. 4 He was released without charges which pretty much means he did nothing wrong in the first place. Just because he works for the ATF doesn’t make him a criminal. I hold an FFL and the ATF people I have dealt with have been nothing but polite and helpful. I hope he wins his law suit.

    • Michael December 25, 2020, 10:42 am

      Apparently you saw the video (I didn’t). However, from my 25 years of experience in criminal justice, working at the local, county, and state levels, the BATFE never failed to disappoint other LE agencies that had the misfortune to have to work with them. Calling them “clowns” or “cowboys” were descriptions that were too nice, they were more like Nazi Gestapo! We hated getting anywhere near them – thugs one and all. This opinion was only further solidified after their murderous, botched operation at Waco, Texas. This alphabet agency needs to be eliminated now.

    • DRK December 25, 2020, 11:12 am

      I dido this posting, completely.

      This type of PD action is what causes problems NOT solves them. And to a comment ‘ why did the ATF not notify LEO’s/PD’, that one is easy – the Fed’s cannot TRUST the local PD’s/DA in a near sanctuary/LIB/college city.

    • Na December 25, 2020, 11:18 am

      You are the gun control nut. A guy with a gun not hurting anyone isnt a criminal just because someone wants to say so. Criminals cause a loss to another, and right now that is the govt attempting to compel Americans to worship and serve the state when it is the state who is to worship and serve the people. Shall not infringe means just that. What you cnts want is to minimize and weaken the strong so you can continue to promote weakness in the people making it easier to eastablish power over them. You are the threat to freedom, not some guy minding his business with a gun.

    • Kane December 25, 2020, 12:39 pm

      This ATF Agent was changing bar codes at a liquor store and ripping of hundreds of $. He is a problem and might have been stealing the shotgun since since he did NOT notify the local PD. I hope he looses the case.

      • Charles Surratt December 25, 2020, 5:56 pm

        Looking at it from a different angle, he wasn’t trying to score a free shotgun (look at how he is dressed). Hell, he probably had a bottle or two of the wine he got on the cheap and was trying to take advantage of some unsuspecting queen (that’s why he didn’t have any backup, he figured he could handle it all by himself). It doesn’t have to be about guns all the time does it? ha ha

    • Bill December 25, 2020, 5:30 pm

      Other FFLs have VERY different experiences viz Ares Armor. The recent change of tune in re Polymer 80s is another case in point. BATFE can’t chase down the stolen dynamite in Pennsylvania (over a year, now), yet they have the manpower to chase down individual 80% buyers?

      Seriously … who are you kidding?

  • Sumguy77 December 23, 2020, 8:43 am

    Good to see people in the comments have the right idea, for the most part.
    ATF is going to cease to exist some time soon. But it would be great to see as much of this as possible before they do- they’ve got decades of murder, assault, robbery, infringement and treason to pay for.

    • Ghost December 25, 2020, 7:42 am

      Agreed

  • Jeeper Geo December 21, 2020, 9:28 am

    RENO 911 all around.

  • Big Al 45 December 21, 2020, 9:27 am

    The ATF has a long history of being perceived as ‘unprofessional’ and ‘cowboys’ (yes, for lack of a better term) by OTHER LEO’s, especially the FBI.
    In many instances, they fail to properly I.D. themselves, a BIG no-no when entering a home as many wise LEO’s will tell you.
    I personally believe they shouldn’t have Police powers at all, and should be made to use local resources whenever available,
    I trust my local Sheriff FAR more than any Federal Agency.

    • Charles Surratt December 25, 2020, 10:48 am

      “Unprofessional” would be one word to describe the person amongst others; however, don’t call him a “cowboy”. All the cowboys I know don’t act like that. The ATF idiot in the article wouldn’t make a pimple on a cowboy’s ass when it comes to being professional, polite, trustworthy and helpful. Go look up “riding for the brand” and you might see where I’m coming from.

    • TUC December 25, 2020, 11:43 am

      How about spoiled rotten leftists brats to describe all Federal law enforcement agencies?

  • DirtyShirt December 21, 2020, 7:25 am

    Love it lol

  • J.Smith December 19, 2020, 6:48 pm

    All you three letter types need to heed and hear, just cause you got a badge don’t matter, a criminal is a criminal regardless. Whether it is raiding P80 when you decide to redefine law, or if and when we get there start confiscating guns that are now legal, people have had about enough of your bullshit. The social contract is quickly disappearing . You better figure out which side of the line you fall on. Maybe you should start with investigating your own people, and if not willing to sacrifice your pay and pension, resign if you cant do the right and constitutional thing. We are coming to a crossroads in America, and tyranny is on the menu as is heavy resistance.

    • Sumguy77 December 23, 2020, 8:44 am

      Amen, brother.

  • Monico Borden December 19, 2020, 4:22 pm

    I wish the cop had shot the scumbag dead. And for the same thing to happen every single time tyrants try enforcing their will on the people they are supposed to serve, not oppress.

    Of course, I expect my comment to be censored, because stating obvious truths is forbidden these days, even on sites that pretend to be supportive of freedom.

    • Luke Tilley December 25, 2020, 4:10 am

      I agree 100%, I got kicked off YouTube for comments on political sites. The TRUTH is better than lies, PERIOD! Treason and Execution should be the norm! It’s our tax dollars that pay these idiots and if middle class Americans would go exempt and quit paying taxes, it wouldn’t take long for the government to realize they supposed to work for us. Have a Merry Christmas. One Nation Under GOD!🙏🕊🇺🇸🦅

    • Jack007 December 25, 2020, 7:51 am

      Well, while your comment may well have been censored on most social media platforms….short of suggesting something illegal or being over the top crass, I don’t think this forum is one to muzzle you. There’s a reason it’s becoming much more popular.
      Great job moderators here at Guns America. A thankless job I’m sure!

    • na December 25, 2020, 11:22 am

      This is theater. The power of the state resides in the people trusting them and needing them. Manufacturing a narrative and mindset to go with it that the states actors are protecting you is just about recruiting support. Ive said for years, all they have to do is change themselves and stop trying to change everyone else. When I was growing up they were still promoting individuality. Today, they are trying to hinder it. Freedom doesnt come from a permission slip granted by your local traitors. Its derived by nature just as it was given.

    • Bill December 25, 2020, 5:34 pm

      I’m just puzzled. Why would an ATF agent confront an armed felon alone?

  • Nicks87 December 19, 2020, 10:52 am

    They should’ve just hung him for treason and violating his oath to the constitution.

    • Sumguy77 December 23, 2020, 8:46 am

      Yep.

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