Texas AG sues Biden administration, ATF for banning private firearm sales
The Biden administration's rule looks to stop a loophole allowing gun sales by unlicensed dealers who don't perform background checks. Ken Paxton, however, called it “a dramatic escalation of [Joe Biden's] tyrannical abuse of authority."
Federal report finds 68,000 guns were illegally trafficked through unlicensed dealers over 5 years
New data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives shows that 68,000 illegally trafficked firearms in the U.S. came through unlicensed dealers who aren’t required to perform background checks over a five year report.
ATF training Houston-area officers on how to look out for Glock switches, 3D printers
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on a mission to train law enforcement agencies nationwide on how to spot illegally manufactured machine guns and the devices used to create them.
12-year-old boy killed after grenade purchased at antique mall explodes, feds say
The ATF is asking for the public's help to recover any grenades that may have been purchased from Fancy Flea Antique Mall in Shallotte, North Carolina, because they may be live. CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A 12-year-old boy from Virginia was killed by a grenade he had purchased at an antique store, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in a news release. He had purchased the grenade on June 13 at an antique mall near Charlotte, North Carolina. CNN reported the grenades were thought to be “chemically inactive” Mk2 grenades, a style used during World War II. The ATF did not release information on how many of the grenades may have been sold at the antique mall.
California sues US regulator in bid to deter 'ghost guns'
Becerra said ghost guns were used in mass shootings that each killed five people in Santa Monica in 2013 and Tehama County in 2017. Ghost gun seizures by the state Department of Justice jumped 512% between 2018 and 2019. California is now home to 18 of the 80 known online ghost gun retailers, double the number from six years ago and the most of any state, according to the lawsuit. “The only logical intended result of a ghost gun kit is that it will become a firearm,” Becerra said. ““If you can assemble Ikea furniture, you can definitely build a ghost gun,” said Shearer of the Giffords Law Center.
Couple wanted in connection with St. Paul fires believed to be in Texas; ATF offering $10K reward
HOUSTON The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering up to $10,000 ($5,000 for each person) as a reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of a couple wanted in connection with fires that happened during the riots in St. Paul, Minnesota. A video connecting Felan to the fires went viral, prompting him and Yousif to flee, according to the release. The decision made by some to terrorize our city through their dangerous and unlawful acts of arson was an affront to our community and those who were peacefully exercising their first amendment rights, said St. Paul police Chief Todd Axtell. When using Report It, select ATF St. Paul Field Division as the reporting agency. All tips can be submitted anonymously, but to claim a reward, you must give contact information.
FINAL REPORT: ITC Deer Park fire was accidental, caused by failure in manifold of tank
“The failure within the power frame resulted in an uncontained release of Naphtha enriched with Butane. Foul play and malicious intent along with other unintentional causes were ruled out by investigators,” officials wrote in the report. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office told KPRC 2 that the ITC facility was built before Harris County adopted a fire code and the HCFMO did not have the authority to inspect the facility before the fire. See a timeline of how the ITC Deer Park fire played out here. You can read the full final report into the ITC Deer Park investigation below: