Why is ATF involved in Atlanta

[queeg]

Why is it with any "large" profile case these days somehow the ATF becomes involved? With the Nichols thing in Atlanta, it's ATF this and ATF that. ---what, didn't he pay taxes on the bullets he used or something?

The ATF is a taxing entity and not a guns and boots group.

[Padraig18]

1. Thy're often called in by local authorities to assist.

It's not unusual at all.

[tx_dem41]

2. "ATF is a taxing entity"?

Not necessarily. I believe that they are the only Federal law-enforcement entity specifically trained for SWAT-type situations.

I could be wrong, though.

[queeg]

9. and the FBI swat team is ??? chop liver?

[TwilightZone]

3. I think you might be confused.

The ATF does much more than tax. They often train and assist local law enforcement, for example.

http://www.atf.gov/about/mission.htm

[Inland]

4. Well, god damn them for catching the bad guy, anyway.

How dare this taxing entity actually assist in the capture of the murderer of three people, including a judge and deputy sherriff.

Time for the feds to stop interfering with state criminals.

[WillowTree]

5. The guy killed a Federal judge.

At that point, it was no longer just a State or local crime.

[Riding this Donkey]

6. I don't believe it was a Federal Judge, but a state judge.

I believe the feds are involved due to the amount of murders.

[Inland]

7. The judge was a state judge

but there could have been a fed law involved somewhere. Illegal possession of a gun could do it.

[Riding this Donkey]

8. Also, I think that if they had an inkling that he might pass over the

state line, whether they had proof or not, they could take control.

[stillcool]

10. There was a Border-Patrol-Agent........

killed, and the agents truck and badge were found with the suspect, making his murder a federal crime.

[queeg]

11. Actually you are wrong

It is only a federal crime if the customs agent was killed in the process of doing his job. If he was not on the job at the time of the offense, this is a state crime.

[stillcool]

13. Right you are.....and

i remember that being discussed, and whether it was obvious that he was a fed at the time the crime was committed. The station i heard it on was giving that as an explanation for why he was in federal custody, but as you point out thats probably a bunch of hooey, and i fell for it again. wWhen will i learn?

[Vinca]

12. I can't believe anyone is bitching about anyone who assisted in

catching this guy. There's a point where local/state/federal converge to get somebody very dangerous as fast as they can. Do I mind my federal tax dollars contributing? No.

[queeg]

14. Actually it is the point

The New democratic party---the party of Clinton-Gore is a party of LESS government, and LESS government intrusion. YOU are part of OLD big government democrats.

So the question remains--How many government agencies nees to be carrying guns. and how many government agencies need their own SWAT teams, and why is a federal Taxing agency (ATF) part of an operation to bring in a non-federal escapee.


You may in the end want more "security" and such at courthouses, but this poses the question is this a permanent way of life, this "more security". When does it end?