ATF: ‘70% of Mexican cartel guns originate in U.S.’

From the Wall Street Journal: “The U.S. was the source of at least 70% of 29,284 firearms recovered by authorities in Mexico in 2009 and 2010, according to new U.S. government figures.” But analysis of the data reveals another picture.

Of all guns recovered, Mexico chose certain guns for ATF tracing. Statisticians call this sampling bias. Why send ATF a gun with illegible or missing serial numbers? The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported this.

The only fact in the ATF report: Of all guns specially selected by Mexico for tracing, 70% originated in the U.S.

Next, “originated in U.S.” is meaningless: Were they true (fully automatic) military weapons unavailable to civilians? Cartels obtain these through Mexican military, or Central American countries supplied by our government during previous civil wars. (here and here).

Next, 2,500 firearms “walked” across the border courtesy of the ATF, author of this “70%” report. How many of those recovered were supplied via the ATF?

Anti-rights leaders quickly created a crisis to use to their advantage.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), who originally requested this information: “Releasing data on firearms recovered in Mexico that originate in the United States will ensure that the American public and policymakers are aware of the severity of this problem.”

Dennis Henigan, vice president of Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said: “The traffickers are following the path of least resistance. They’re going to American gun shops, exploiting the permissive U.S. gun laws. It’s beyond time for the United States to strengthen its gun laws and shut down the trafficking.”

Dennis, your “path of least resistance” theory is true: Cartels arm themselves from Central American military weapons caches and the international black market.

Also, Dennis, isn’t the ATF supposed to enforce federal law and “shut down the trafficking” instead of breaking the law and aiding trafficking? As a lawyer, you should be cognizant of DeShaney v. Winnebago, where the Supreme Court ruled that government agencies have no obligation to perform the functions our tax dollars pay for.

Or are you hiding the truth to better promote your dangerous agenda?