National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- Unfortunately, a recent Houston Chronicle article on firearms trafficking neglected to mention, among other things, the active cooperation between members of the firearms industry and law enforcement.

For example, NSSF, the trade association for America’s firearms industry, has partnered with ATF for more than a decade on a national campaign to make the public aware that it is a serious crime to “straw purchase” a firearm.

The industry-funded program, called Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, also helps ATF educate firearms retailers to better detect and prevent illegal straw purchases — which, contrary to the author’s unsubstantiated claim, never spiked after 2004. Read NSSF’s complete letter to the editor.

In related news, a FOX News special report today detailed how sales of firearms from the U.S. government to the Mexican government may be falling into cartel hands.

NSSF has reported on this issue in the past, noting that more than 150,000 Mexican soldiers have defected to work for the drug cartels — bringing their American-made service-issued firearms with them. Watch the FOX News video above.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

DALLAS, TX --(Ammoland.com)- DALLAS – A federal grand jury in Dallas has charged three local men with various federal firearms offenses related to their scheme to illegally acquire firearms they intended to transfer to others, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas.

The three defendants, Ranferi Osorio, 27, and his brother, Otilio Osorio, 22, and Kelvin Leon Morrison, 25, have been in custody since their arrest on Feb. 28, 2011, by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and other state and local agencies, on charges in related criminal complaints.

The six-count indictment, returned today, charges each defendant with one count of conspiracy to acquire a firearm from a licensed dealer by false or fictitious statement and four substantive counts of that offense. It also charges Ranferi and Otilio Osorio with one count of possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

According to the indictment, if a person buys a firearm for someone else but claims that he or she is the actual transferee/buyer of the listed firearm(s), the firearm acquisition is called a “straw purchase” and the conduct is called “lying and buying.” The indictment alleges that beginning in July 2010 and continuing through at least Nov. 2010, the defendants made false statements to a licensed dealer to illegally procure at least 10 firearms, that they intended to transfer to others. Together they formulated a plan that included selecting the licensed dealers and the types of firearms to be purchased and acquiring the firearms from those dealers by making false statements intended to deceive the firearm dealer.

The indictment also alleges that on Nov. 9, 2010, the Osorio brothers knowingly possessed 12 Romarm, Model Draco, 7.62×39 caliber pistols which had the serial numbers obliterated.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury, and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each count of acquiring a firearm from a licensed dealer by making a false or fictitious statement carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Upon conviction, the conspiracy count and the possession of a firearm with a removed or obliterated serial number, each carry a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the ATF, DEA, FBI, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and the Lancaster, Texas, Police Department. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. Department of Justice

McALLEN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- A United States citizen, who had resided in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison without parole for straw purchasing 13 firearms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

Jesus Quintanilla, 26, convicted of one count of purchasing firearms for others after pleading guilty in October 2010, was sentenced this morning by Chief United States District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa. Quintanilla has been in federal custody without bond since his July 2010 arrest and will remain in custody to serve his sentence.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation which lead to the charges against Quintanilla began after the ATF received reports that Quintanilla had purchased numerous highly trafficked firearms between July 8 and 16, 2010. After ATF agents saw Quintanilla’s attempt to purchase an additional AK-47 type weapon (the attempted purchase was denied) agents approached Quintanilla. Quintanilla admitted to agents that he had previously purchased nine AK-47 type weapons and four pistols for another person who was reportedly associated with a Mexican drug cartel.

At today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Hinojosa included enhancements for trafficking firearms and for using and possessing a firearm in connection another felony offense, specifically, the exportation of firearms in deciding upon the ultimate sentence handed down. Following the completion of the prison term the court has ordered Quintanilla to serve a three-year term of supervised release. As a convicted felon, Quintanilla will be prohibited by federal law from even possessing a firearm in the future.

Assistant United States Attorney Steven Schammel prosecuted the case.

U.S. Department of Justice

BROWNSVILLE, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Three 20-year-old Brownsville residents who lied to buy firearms for another are now convicted felons and will be serving prison terms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

Yesterday, United States District Judge Hilda G. Tagle sentenced Jesus Gutierrez, 20, Roel Gonzalez, 20, and Angel Zuniga, 20, to prison for purchasing firearms by making false statements.

Gutierrez, who bought two firearms, and Gonzalez, who purchased only one, were each sentenced to six months in federal prison to be followed by a two-year-term of supervised release. Zuniga, who purchased three firearms, was sentenced to seven months in federal prison to be followed by a like number of years of supervised release.

From Oct. 16, 2008 to Nov. 6, 2008, an individual known to the defendants as “Tavo” recruited each of them to buy firearms for him providing them the money for the purchase and instructions about which firearms to buy. Each of the young men acquired the firearms from licensed dealers in Pharr, McAllen, and Brownsville, Texas, by knowingly making false statements and representations, that is, by executing a Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473, Firearm Transaction Record, claiming they were the actual buyer of the firearm when in truth they were acquiring the firearms on behalf of “Tavo.” All the firearms were eventually discovered in Mexico and traced back to the defendant purchasers. “Tavo” remains unidentified and a fugitive.

Gutierrez was immediately taken into custody, while Gonzalez and Zuniga were allowed to surrender.

Despite the fact that none of the 20-year-old defendants has a criminal record and they purchased relatively few firearms, the court noted that prison terms were necessarily to reflected the seriousness of the offense each had committed.

This case was investigated by agents with ATF. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angel Castro.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Two nationwide initiatives developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation “Project ChildSafe and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” have been recognized by the Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program.

NSSF received an Award of Excellence for its Project ChildSafe program, the firearms safety education effort that has distributed 35 million gun lock safety kits.

Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, the NSSF program that works to prevent the illegal purchase of firearms, was named to the AAA Honor Roll.

NSSF is one of only 13 organizations nationally to receive an Award of Excellence in the first round of the 2010 Associations Advance America Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership in Washington, D.C. Project ChildSafe is now in the running to receive a Summit Award, ASAE and the center’s top recognition for association programs, to be presented at ASAE’s 11th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, 2010.

“The National Shooting Sports Foundation is honored to receive these awards for Project ChildSafe and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy from ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership,” said Steve Sanetti, president of NSSF.

“It is through Project ChildSafe that NSSF promotes the safe and responsible use and storage of firearms to millions of gun owners throughout the country and through Don’t Lie for the Other Guy that NSSF helps prevent illegal purchases of firearms by prohibited persons.”

Project ChildSafe’s goal is to help reduce firearms-related accidents through the distribution of free gun locking devices and safety education literature. With support from the firearms industry and U.S. Department of Justice grants, Project ChildSafe has distributed approximately 35 million gun lock safety kits to nearly every law enforcement department in the 50 states and U.S. Territories. Law enforcement then provides the safety kits free of charge to gun owners in their communities, reminding them to safely handle and store firearms in their homes. Through the efforts of Project ChildSafe and other firearm safety programs, accidental firearms fatalities have dropped to their lowest levels since record-keeping began in 1903, including a 60 percent decrease in fatal firearms accidents among youth 14 and under in the last 10 years.

Through Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, NSSF assists the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in educating federally licensed firearms retailers on how to better detect and prevent illegal straw purchases of firearms. An advertising component of the program warns the public that to illegally purchase a firearm is a serious crime. Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, which is funded by the firearms industry and U.S. Department of Justice grants, has been launched in 25 cities, with the focus in the past year along the U.S.-Mexico border. The program’s straw purchase deterrence message – “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail” – recently topped one billion media impressions.

The NSSF programs Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, Project HomeSafe (the forerunner to Project ChildSafe) and Step Outside were previously recognized by ASAE, the last time coming in 2006 when Don’t Lie received an Award of Excellence.

Now in its 20th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward – with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship and community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.

“NSSF’s programs truly embody the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase these activities as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” said 2009-2010 Associations Advance America Committee Chair Ping Wei, director of educational opportunities for the American Society of Civil Engineers.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

The Gun Store Named 2009 Retailer of the Year by NSSF

National Shooting Sports Foundation

Las Vegas, Nev. – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Gun Store, a federally licensed firearms retailer in Las Vegas, Nevada, was named the 2009 Don’t Lie for the Other Guy Retailer of the Year by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry.

Bob Irwin, owner of The Gun Store, accepted the award at the firearms industry’s annual trade show, named the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show, which is owned and sponsored by the NSSF.

“For their implementation and support of the Don’t Lie for the Other Guy anti-straw purchasing program, helping to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms, NSSF is proud to recognize the outstanding work of The Gun Store,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.

About Don’t Lie for the Other Guy
Don’t Lie for the Other Guy is a national campaign led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to better educate America’s firearms retailers on how to detect would-be straw purchasers and to raise public awareness that it is a serious crime to buy a firearm for a prohibited person or for someone who does not otherwise want his or her name associated with the transaction. The campaign was developed by NSSF and ATF in 2000 and has been active in more than 20 cities.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- New Video Educates Public About the Firearms Industry.

“For more than 200 years a unique industry in America has made products that have been part of our country’s great tradition of freedom, self-reliance and enjoyment of the outdoors.”

So begins a new video produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation called “Lock, Stock and Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry” and that is now available as a DVD free of charge or to view online at www.nssf.org.

Designed to educate anyone who wants to know more about the history, operation and regulation of the firearms industry, the video is particularly helpful to those who hold misconceptions about the industry.

“It’s important that an industry that produces a product — firearms — that is at times a contentious subject in modern society should be understood and appreciated for the many positive contributions it has made for centuries,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti.

“I believe that people who watch this video, perhaps at the local Rotary Club meeting or library, whether they own firearms or not, will come away with a new-found appreciation of our great industry.”

Potential audiences for the video are the general public, elected officials, teachers and students, local service groups and the media. Members of NSSF are encouraged to show the video to their employees and in their communities to promote a better understanding of the firearms industry.

“Lock, Stock and Barrel: Understanding the Firearms Industry” is approximately 15 minutes long. Individual or multiple copies of the DVD are available at www.nssf.org/industryvideo.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)-  Over the past year, the Don’t Lie for the Other Guy program — jointly developed by ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation — has been rolled out in several areas along the southwest border of the United States.

The campaign completed its fifth launch of the year last week in San Diego and continues to demonstrate the industry’s strong stance against illegal straw purchases of firearms.

The goal of the program is twofold: to warn residents and visitors about the severe penalties associated with illegally purchasing a firearm, and to educate federally licensed firearms retailers on how to better detect and deter potential straw purchasers.

“NSSF has for nearly a decade partnered with ATF and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) on the Don’t Lie program. This partnership is a great example of coordination and tangible success on the federal, state and local levels and with federally licensed firearms retailers throughout the country,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.

Watch a video with testimonials from firearms retailers and ATF on the success of the program. Also, listen to a recent WCBS radio interview.

Retailers: Get Your Free ‘Don’t Lie’ Tool Kit
NSSF readily makes its “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” retailer tool kit available for free to retailers wherever they live and do business. Retailers with multiple locations can request one for each store. Individual components of the retailer tool kit are also available upon request. Order online at www.dontlie.org or by contacting NSSF’s Cindy Brutting at cbrutting@nssf.org or 203-426-1320.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

“Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail.”

BATFE

Tucson, Ariz., – -(AmmoLand.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, Arizona Attorney General, and representatives from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) – the trade association for the firearms industry – today announced a major campaign to reduce significantly the illegal straw purchases of firearms in Tucson.

The program, called “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy,” was developed to raise public awareness that it is a serious crime to purchase a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so or for someone who does not otherwise want his or her name associated with the transaction. The program is also designed to educate firearms dealers on how to better detect and deter potential straw purchases.

The campaign, which has been enhanced to better focus on the purchasers, drives home the message that anyone attempting an illegal firearm purchase faces a stiff federal penalty: Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail.

Special Agent in Charge William Newell of the ATF Phoenix Field Division said, “As the agency responsible for oversight of the federal firearms laws, ATF is fully committed to our partnership with NSSF to aggressively address the illegal purchase of firearms by individuals who in many instances are pawns

“Through this program we are educating the federal firearms licensees, who are valuable ATF partners in preventing the illegal straw purchase of firearms, as well as those would-be straw purchasers, that this is a serious federal offense and that their illegal actions could be fueling a dangerous gang or drug war.”

“When a person is asked to buy a gun for someone else, they must understand that they are being asked to commit a federal felony,” said John J. Tuchi, Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “That illegal buyer is responsible for arming felons, drug traffickers, and gang members. This District will not tolerate these straw purchasers.”

Residents and visitors to Tucson will see Don’t Lie for the Other Guy billboards and posters throughout the city and will hear the campaign’s strong message via radio and television public service announcements (PSA). Outdoor media signs will be displayed anywhere from four weeks to several months, and the PSA will be played for the next month.

“The ‘Don’t Lie for the Other Guy’ campaign is a valuable public safety partnership between law enforcement and the firearms industry,” said Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. “Lying for somebody else to acquire a gun is a serious crime, and perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted. Lives will be saved, especially law enforcement officers, when we aggressively enforce these rules.”

NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane said, “This program has been welcomed by firearms retailers as a valuable educational tool to better enable them to spot would-be straw purchasers and prevent illegal straw purchases. Our goal in reaching out to the public is to warn them that they would be committing a serious crime by attempting to purchase a firearm for someone who cannot legally possess one. We applaud and appreciate the support of the ATF for joining with members of our industry in this cooperative effort.”

The Don’t Lie for the Other Guy program is a vital component of ATF’s outreach efforts to educate firearms dealers and their employees on how to better recognize and deter the illegal purchase of firearms through straw purchases. This program is an important tool for ATF to accomplish its mission of reducing violent crime and protecting the public. The campaign is reaching out to firearms retailers in the greater Tucson area and distributing Don’t Lie retailer education kits. Each kit contains a training video and brochure for the storeowner and staff as well as point-of-purchase displays aimed to deter this illegal activity.

Don’t Lie for the Other Guy is a joint program of ATF and the NSSF. Funding for the program comes from a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

About:
ATF – Is a unique law enforcement agency in the United States Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products.

We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement and public safety agencies to safeguard the public we serve through information sharing, training, research, and use of technology.

BATFE

McALLEN, Texas - -(TacticalWire.com)- Armando Villagomez Jr., 33, of Alamo, Texas has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for lying on federal firearms forms to purchase weapons that were smuggled into Mexico, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Villagomez was sentenced today by United States District Judge Randy Crane. There is no parole in the federal system.

Indicted in July 2008, Villagomez was convicted in November 2008 following a guilty plea to knowingly making a false statement on ATF Form 4473 when he stated he was the actual purchaser of three AR-15s when he knew he was not the actual purchaser. Villagomez was also accused of making similar false statements regarding the purchase of three additional AR-15s and five semi-automatic 9mm pistols. Villagomez was hired to purchase firearms that would then be taken into Mexico and delivered to drug cartels. At the time of purchase, Villagomez completed ATF Form 4473 and falsely stated that he was the actual purchaser when he knew Armando (last name unknown) was the actual purchaser.

The investigation leading to the charges against Villgomez was initiated in July 2008 by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after one of the semi-automatic pistols purchased by Villagomez on May 8, 2008, was recovered by Mexican officials when they were assaulted with various weapons including fragmentation grenades by a heavily armed drug cartel members in Mexico.

Today, the court held Villagomez responsible for purchasing more than 31 firearms which he was aware were to be and were taken to Mexico and the court further held that Villagomez had reason to believe that the weapons would be used or possessed in connection with another felony offense.

Villagomez has been in federal custody since his arrest and will remain in custody to serve his sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Schammel.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. — -(OutDoorWire.com)- A full-page advertisement in today’s Chicago Tribune is designed to raise awareness about major programs sponsored by members of the firearms industry and how they promote safe and responsible firearms ownership and storage to America’s more than 80 million gun owners.

Sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the advertisement reads, “Learn What’s Being Done About Gun Safety” and highlights NSSF’s Project ChildSafe, First Shots and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy programs and their Web sites.

“It’s important that all Americans understand how members of the firearms industry are working to encourage the safe and responsible use and storage of their products through NSSF’s nationally recognized programs,” said Stephen L. Sanetti, president of NSSF. “Chicago is the first of a number of major cities where NSSF will run this educational ad and where we also will bring our industry’s safety programs such as Project ChildSafe, First Shots and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy to demonstrate our industry members’ commitment to safe firearms ownership and storage.”

Project ChildSafe promotes safe storage of firearms to help prevent accidents, particularly among children, and has distributed 35 million gun lock safety kits and safety education materials. Over 1,000,000 firearm safety kits have been distributed in Illinois alone and gun owners can receive a free firearm safety kit from many local law enforcement departments. Project ChildSafe’s Web site is www.projectchildsafe.org.

First Shots provides an introduction to safe handgun ownership for first-time shooters through education and training seminars and supervised live-fire instruction at shooting ranges across the country. Three First Shots seminars are scheduled in the greater Chicago area on Saturday, Feb. 7, with others to follow. Find a First Shots seminar at www.firstshots.org.

NSSF’s Don’t Lie for the Other Guy assists the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with educating federally-licensed firearms retailers about how to better detect and prevent illegal firearms purchases, thereby helping to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Don’t Lie for the Other Guy will also bring its message of “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail” to Chicago in March.

About NSSF:
NSSF, founded in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms and recreational shooting sports industry and promotes the safe ownership and responsible use of products its members make and sell. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.