Rick Reese of New Deal Shooting Sports Arrested But What About Fast & Furious

Guilty or not, this is too much when Eric Holder and ATF get off scot free.
By Jeff Knox

Gun-raid family faces a judge: kasa.com

FirearmsCoalition.org
FirearmsCoalition.org

Manassas, VA –-(Ammoland.com)- A family of four – Rick Reese, his wife Terri, and their two sons, Ryin – 24 and Remington – 19 – was arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico on August 30, 2011.

They have been held in four separate county and federal detention facilities without bond ever since. Their alleged crime is that, over the course of several months, they sold between 15 and 30 guns to people they knew, or should have known were gun traffickers for Mexican drug gangs. The Reeses insist that they are innocent of any crime.

Shortly after they were arrested in Las Cruces, dozens of police vehicles, including four armored personnel carriers and two helicopters, full of armed officers and agents from numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies swarmed over the Reese’s home and businesses. The entire firearm and ammunition inventory was taken from Rick Reese’s store as well as his entire personal collection of firearms and all cash and valuables from his home safe. Even the 30 to 40 empty gun safes that were on display at the store were seized. US Attorney Ken Gonzales indicated that he is going to seek asset forfeiture of the Reese’s home and 25 acre property (including the shooting range on the property which he leased to various law enforcement agencies), all of the cash and valuables seized, their vehicles, and a monetary judgment of at least $36,000 from whatever assets might be left.

In a prepared statement to the press US Attorney Gonzales stated: “This case serves to put firearms dealers on notice that they will be held accountable for any failure to comply with federal firearms laws.”

I have no real problem with that statement except that I strongly disagree with many federal firearms laws, but until we can get those changed, licensed dealers are obligated to comply with them. What’s more, dealers, particularly dealers in southern border states, have been well aware of heightened scrutiny and enforcement for the past several years. It is almost inconceivable that any dealer, particularly a successful and prosperous one like Rick Reese, would jeopardize their life and livelihood for the sake of a few ill-gotten dollars.

What bothers me most though, is the heavy handed treatment of the Reese’s, the judges refusal to establish bond for them, and something else that US Attorney Gonzales said: “Those who sell firearms knowing that they will be illegally smuggled into Mexico to arm Mexican Cartels share responsibility for the violence that has been devastating Mexico.”

Did Anyone Hear of Fast & Furious?
While the Reese family sits in their various jail cells accused of should have known, it should be pointed out that in Operation Fast & Furious, the ATF and DOJ, along with the US Attorney for Arizona, twisted dealers arms to get them to sell over 2000 guns to traffickers for Mexican drug gangs. They did this with every intention of allowing the un-monitored guns to reach the bad guys and only tracked them by the crime scenes where they quickly began to show up. The program was only stopped when two of those guns turned up at the scene of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry’s murder.

My question for US Attorney Gonzales is; when are those responsible for Fast & Furious going to be arrested and tried for their contributions to “the violence that has been devastating Mexico?”

Something else to consider when looking at the Reese case is that convicted straw purchasers are typically sentenced to less than one year in prison – if they are prosecuted at all. Prosecutors generally require that straw purchasers have records of purchasing high numbers of guns and that some of those guns can subsequently tied to violent crimes. Such standards make the aggressive treatment of the Reese family, all of whom have spotless records in their business and their personal lives, look even more excessive.

I don’t know the Reeses and really have no idea whether they knowingly broke the law. I do know that they had a reputation for being responsible citizens, and that they have insisted that they are innocent and will not plea bargain. I also know that they are facing well over $100,000 in just basic legal costs. If Rick and Terri and the boys are eventually exonerated, they will walk away with probably $200,000 in legal bills and damaged, depreciated inventory – if they can recover it.

Courts are notoriously loath to return guns under any circumstances and even less inclined to return ammunition. Rick’s plans to close the shop at the end of the year and run for Sheriff are crushed. His son Ryin’s plans to open a new shop in Las Cruces with a lot of his father’s remaining inventory are also destroyed.

Regardless of the Reese’s guilt or innocence, this case raises serious questions about the equity of our legal system, the show-boat tactics of some federal law enforcement agencies, and the complexity of our nation’s gun laws.

Crimes should be punished, but more importantly, justice should be served. That doesn’t seem to be happening in this case. I’m going to keep monitoring this one.

You can donate to the Resse’s Defense Fund here:

REESE DEFENSE FUND
ATTENTION: Patricia Arias
FIRST SAVINGS BANK
520 South Gold
Deming,NM  88030

Copyright © 2011 Neal Knox Associates – The most trusted name in the rights movement.

About:
The Firearms Coalition is a loose-knit coalition of individual Second Amendment activists, clubs and civil rights organizations. Founded by Neal Knox in 1984, the organization provides support to grassroots activists in the form of education, analysis of current issues, and with a historical perspective of the gun rights movement. The Firearms Coalition is a project of Neal Knox Associates, Manassas, VA. Visit: www.FirearmsCoalition.org

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Midnight Rider

The Land of Entrapment is filled with bandits, outlaws and evil spirits. My advise is to stay out of it. Envy greed and lawlessness is the rule, so enter at your own risk. Time is fleeting and God watches and waits to see if any are just. The truth is light that some refuse to see……

“America is great because she is good
When she is no longer good she will no longer be great “Baja

Terry Hoff

Why has there been such little follow up on this case against New Deal Shooting Sports and the Reese Family. These people were railroaded by the Federal Goverment, in order for Attorney General Eric Holder and the Obama Administration to deflect the real truth of Fast and Furious. The Reese Family was used by the Goverment so that President Barack Obama and Attoney General Eric Holder could escape Treason and charges of espionage. Just because Barack Obama and Eric Holder held the high offices of President and Attorney General doesn’t mean they are above the law. They should both be… Read more »

Wild Bill

@TLS H. Bring it to President Trump’s attention. whitehouse.com, I believe is the address. Keep it short and to the point.

Lloyd

REESE CASE: Stunning Developments December 19, 2012 | Author Luna Tea Party Patriots | Today’s hearing regarding a motion for release pending sentencing was a public hearing. The defendants were present. The defendant’s family was present. Over 40 of the defendants’ friends and supporters packed the courtroom. At least three media reporters were present. All in all some 60 people were in the courtroom. We all heard what was said. It is no secret – even though it is probably supposed to be. For the moment, however, this writer has decided to redact certain things regarding what happened today. Everything… Read more »

Scum Sucker

That has been Rick's style all his life! He uses people to get what he wants and will do anything for a fast buck, anything. Guilty as charged.

Eric Equis

Isn't US Attorney Ken Gonzales the same ideologue that persecuted the Border Patrol Agents unjustly landing 3 of them in jail for doing their jobs?