SAF HAILS VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR PROPOSED ‘GUN STING’ LEGISLATION

For Immediate Release:   3/28/2007

BELLEVUE, WA -- The Second Amendment Foundation today applauded Virginia Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell for requesting legislation that would outlaw “simulated straw purchases,” thus prohibiting the kind of vigilante gun sting operation mounted last year by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

In a letter to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, McDonnell noted that “The recent activities by the City of New York in Virginia brought this issue to my attention. New York’s actions were met with much concern by law enforcement and this office, and have resulted in much civil litigation against Virginia businesses.”

Bloomberg has filed civil lawsuits against Virginia gun dealers for alleged gun sale violations uncovered by “private investigators,” but the Department of Justice has declined to file charges against these dealers, and instead warned Bloomberg’s office against further such activities.

“Mayor Bloomberg was hoping to arouse state officials with his rogue operation,” observed SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb, “but I don’t think this is quite what he had in mind. We’re hoping other states, where Bloomberg sent his lackeys to interfere with federal law enforcement efforts – and essentially entrap businessmen and women outside of his jurisdiction – will follow Virginia’s lead and introduce similar legislation.

“Attorney General McDonnell makes it clear in his letter that under the proposed legislation, ‘non law-enforcement activities related to undercover illegal firearm purchases will not be tolerated’,” Gottlieb noted. “This legislation sends a clear signal to Michael Bloomberg that his harebrained political stunts are not welcome outside of the Big Apple.”

In his letter, McDonnell told Gov. Kaine that the bill “strikes the proper balance between ensuring effective law enforcement and protecting the rights of business and those of Virginia citizens under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

“Bloomberg should mind his own business, and let Virginians tend to theirs,” Gottlieb stated. “Maybe Bloomberg ought to stay north and west of the Hudson River, much less ever try pulling a stunt like this again south of the Potomac.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

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