The ATF is now harassing legal firearm owners by warrantless knock-and-talk inspections under the pretense of investigating straw purchases. ATF officers will knock on your door if you purchase more than one gun. Sheriff Bob Songer of Klickitat County, Washington has instructed his citizens to send the ATF packing.
Knock and Talk Inspections are a growing concern
We don’t think straw buying is okay. We also oppose firearms being handed to criminals. This is even more unacceptable because President Biden’s ATF uses this to cover up warrantless firearm inspections. This is still America and we still have the Fourth Amendment right to prevent illegal search and seizure.
Federal law enforcement is subject to the Constitution and the law. They must obtain a search warrant just like local police officers to conduct any type of search. The ATF can still use knock-and-talk techniques to inspect firearms if there is no evidence of criminal activity. This has made law enforcement and government officials apprehensive.
A letter from Sen. Joni Ernst (R.IA) to AG Merrick Garland stated that none of the “knock and talk” incidents involved the presentation or execution of a warrant. Multiple ATF agents dressed in ATF official gear, including bulletproof vests, did not inform the resident purchaser about the optional nature of their participation in the brandishing of the requested firearm. These factors raise questions about whether the ATF’s actions were intended to harass or coerce firearm buyers into legal questionable ‘investigations’.
The letter continues to question the legitimacy and legality of these knock-and-talk visits. Ernst also demands to know the criteria used for establishing probable cause and whether warrants were obtained.
She’s not the only one who is addressing this issue. A Washington County Sheriff is also speaking out.
Sheriff suggests telling ATF Agents to Leave
These illegal interactions are not occurring in Klickitat County, Washington Sheriff Bob Songer. He tells residents that ATF agents should knock on their doors if it isn’t a consensual encounter. He admits that such interactions have not yet occurred in his county, but he is trying to get ahead of it.
Washington Times reports that Sheriff Songer is running for reelection. He said that if an ATF agent or another federal agent contacts residents to inspect firearms they purchased, residents don’t have to cooperate with them. Residents should contact his office if agents refuse to leave their property.
Songer continues by stating that if agents refuse to leave, they are trespassing. Songer tells them to call him and he will contact the agents. If they refuse to leave, he will arrest them personally for Criminal Trespass, and book them. Songer says these surprise visits are nothing but a fishing expedition to check out what guns you have.
Concerning the federal government’s repercussions:
“I don’t care about what the FBI, ATF, or Biden administration have to say. He said that an elected chair is his only boss. This includes the county commissioners, the governor, the city attorney general, and the president. “So, I don’t really care too much about their opinions.”
If the ATF isn’t careful, videos could be coming out Klickitat County like this one from Columbus Ohio.
Remember that the ATF is not above law and does not override your constitutional Second Amendment rights.
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Personal Defense World’s first article, Sheriff: Tell ATF Agents Conducting Warrantless Knocks and Talk to Leave appeared originally on Personal Defense World.
