TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

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September 29, 2008

ATF goes against Second Amendment

My name is Butch Housman. Months ago I wrote a letter to the editor of this newspaper.  As a result, Federal Agent Thomas Chittum asked to move the trial of my friends Leonard and Tom Elliott to Frankfort and cited my letter as cause, claiming I had “polluted the jury pool.” I was named specifically before the court and was criticized for questioning both the mission of his agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and in particular his case against the Bacon Creek Gun Shop.  I didn’t realize I was such an  influential scribe.

In light of the intimidating nature of the entire ordeal, Tom Elliott asked me not to write any more letters until after the trial. Wednesday he released me from that promise.

Now that my freedom of speech has been reclaimed, I would like to address Special Agent Thomas Chittum and anyone else who might be interested. I most definitely did question both the mission of your agency and your case against the Elliotts.  I feel I was in good company, as the Supreme Court of the United States was also considering the landmark case District of Columbia vs. Heller at that time. A lot of folks were questioning all these gun laws we suffer under and how that could be considering the “... shall not be infringed” portion of the Second Amendment, the highest law of our land.

As far as your case against the Elliotts, after knowing them and doing business with them for over 30 years, any legal action against them that might result in their incarceration would have to be highly suspect in my mind. These people did not deserve to go to jail. I felt that was the solid truth.

I have made a number of statements, both public and private, disparaging the ATF. I would like to clarify these. As federal agencies go, I rank the ATF at the very bottom of the barrel mainly because its “mission” flies directly in the face of one of our inalienable rights as set forth in the Second Amendment. It’s not so much about firearms as it is about every creature’s right to offer up a physical defense, individually and collectively, in the event of physical attack. That’s simple stuff. Every person, every country, every little mouse in a corner can be expected to try and defend itself. Slaves, prisoners and beasts broke to harness are the ones who are prohibited from fighting back in their own defense. In these modern times, firearms are the most useful tools of defense. Tomorrow it may be ray guns ... or perhaps stones, but in any case everyone has the right to reach down and pick one up. Through the years, the ATF has shown a consistent pattern of pressing for more restrictive gun legislation and stricter interpretation of existing laws. Your mission is unworthy of the American ideal and your agency should be folded up and sent home.

 As for the individuals employed by the ATF, that is sometimes a different story. The ATF was not always what it is now. Once upon a time, a federal firearms license cost about $5 and was easily obtainable. The paperwork requirements were minimal, inspections were non-intrusive and it was a useful way for law enforcement to get a handle on guns so as to trace ones used in crimes back to their owners.

If the government really wanted to do something constructive, they would return to that approach. There were many old timers working for the ATF who had their heads screwed on straight and who were pro-gun, pro-Second Amendment types. I have two friends, both retired from the ATF, who are fine fellows. One in particular dedicated a good part of his life to youth firearms safety training in the 4H. He was a man of the highest “caliber.” No doubt, there are still people working for the ATF who are reputable, but the agency’s whole mission and focus has been so turned against the citizens of the United States that I have little respect for what it’s now doing.

So Agent Chittum, while I wish you the best of luck in your personal life as well as personal safety in the low down lyin’, cheatin’ stuff you do for the government ... I wish you no success in your efforts to undermine the Constitution. The not guilty verdict for Tom and Leonard Elliott was music to my ears. Well done, jury!

 I would like to close with this quote from Thomas Jefferson — “The Constitutions of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”

God Bless America.

Butch Housman, Corbin

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