The investigation into a federal operation that allowed Mexican drug cartels to acquire U.S. weapons escalated Thursday with new revelations that an Arizona gun dealer repeatedly expressed fears that his guns were falling into the “hands of the bad guys” but was encouraged by federal agents to continue the sales.
A series of emails released by congressional investigators showed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives encouraged the gun dealer against his better judgment to sell high-powered weapons to buyers he believed were agents for the drug cartels.
Employees of the dealer videotaped gun buyers — suspected “straw purchasers” who could legally buy the guns, though cartel members could not — exchanging money with other individuals on the dealer’s premises.
Full Story: Border gun scandal: ATF urged concerned dealer to continue gun sales, inquiry finds – latimes.com
