KANSAS GUN CONFISCATION!!!

[FromMyColdDeadHands]

Google Greensburg Kansas Gun Confiscation, it seems that recently during a bad Tornado our friendly LEO (local and federal) attempted to force people out of their homes at gun point. Also they collected firearms and stored them in trailers, when citizens went back to get their guns they were forced to come up with proof of ownership. Many of the guns were severely damaged, or had been "misplaced" (especially the nicer, more expensive models). ATF, National Gaurd, Local LEO all were involved, they would not allow the locals to stay in their homes (no martial law declared) yet they gave the media unrestricted access.

This is getting out of hand, the AG of the states as well as the USAG need to come down hard on this type of behavior. Oh wait, the government is allowed to break the law.

WTF!!!

[RugerNiner]

So anybody ready to join a Keystone State Militia yet?

[sluggie24]

This happened a little while ago. Here is some more info I read on another board....

The following is my report on what happened in Greensburg, KS. This report will be published in the KSRA and Tri-County Newsletters and all documentation and contact info is being sent to the NRA and several Kansas House and Senate Legislators.

GREENSBURG GUN CONFISCATIONS

By Patricia A. Stoneking



I would like to start this report by noting that I have personally spoke with several sources who were directly involved in the incidents that I am about to report that took place in Greensburg, KS in the aftermath of the horrible CAT 5 tornado that ravaged and destroyed that town. I will not be divulging their names in this article as they have requested I not do so.



The first thing I would like for everyone to acknowledge is that the residents of Greensburg were forced to evacuate and that, in and of itself, was an illegal action as martial law had not been declared. There were many people who wanted to stay and they were threatened with arrest and forcible removal if they did not leave as ordered. The tornado happened at 9:46pm on Friday evening, May 4, 2007 and they were forced to leave within a couple hours of it, being given no time to collect themselves or assess the damages or even try to pick up anything such as guns and valuables. Ed Klummp, Police Chiefs Association, testified at the House committee hearing with a position opposing The Emergency Powers Act and said the evacuations were so they could search for bodies and shut off gas and power and that the evacuation was for the safety of the residents. I have been told by a reliable source that the electricity was shut off prior to the tornado striking and the gas was shut off within a few hours after. It would seem that the evacuation was not necessary in light of that information. Perhaps the position should have been that those who want to leave be provided a way to do so and those who wish to stay be allowed to stay.



This town was locked down tight for several days and no one was allowed in or out. The only people in that town during this time were Sheriffs Officers, Kansas Highway Patrol Officers, ATF, FEMA, National Guard, Police Officers from surrounding areas and some volunteers from Ft. Riley, generally speaking, government officials. Authorities claim no one else was there or could have gotten in or out. Interestingly enough, I have been told repeatedly by all sources that the media was allowed to roam freely without escorts through Greensburg. Shall we ask why residents were not allowed to stay on their own property but media was allowed unfettered access?



Many guns and other valuables such as jewelry have gone permanently missing and have never been recovered. There were some houses that were not destroyed and were in tact and habitable. Those folks did not want to leave but were forced to do so. When they returned they found their houses had been broken in to and all of their guns missing. One gentleman reports that when he went to claim his guns, taken from his secure home, they were returned to him in damaged condition. They were not damaged by the tornado. They were locked up in his home and illegally confiscated. So how do we suppose that damage occurred?



Guns and ammunition that were collected were taken to a trailer and an ATF agent manned the trailer. When people first came to collect their guns they were asked for proof of ownership such as receipts and serial number lists and they had to fill out a 4473 and get a NICS approval before they could claim their guns. No one had paperwork, receipts, or lists of serial numbers because it had all blown away. Later into the process they quit demanding these items and asked only for a list with make, model and description of the firearm. In one case, in the collection trailer, a gun case was claimed by one man who had a very nice trap shotgun in it and when he opened the undamaged and closed case, he found not his nice BT99 but another damaged gun that did not belong to him. That $1500.00 BT99 has never turned up. One comment made by all sources is that many “nice” guns were never recovered. Every source has reported that little to no care was taken with any of the firearms retrieved and taken into protective custody and they were not catalogued in any fashion. One resident said “they were just thrown in there in piles”.



One family, whose house was not damaged, reported that officers were going to remove them at gun point when they refused to leave their property and a gun fight was only averted when a KBI agent stepped in front of the other officers and pleaded with them to consider what they were doing. Those residents had taken up their shotguns and were not going to leave. We can only say thank heavens for that KBI officer who had the sense to realize what pressing these people at gun point would mean.



As I talked to these residents of Greensburg the accounts of their personal experiences kept flowing and they all had certain things in common. Their rights were violated, guns were confiscated illegally and they were forced to leave their homes illegally. When government agents came to their property they did not ask them if they were okay or needed help. They were there to forcibly remove them and confiscate their property. Many of them expressed fear of reprisal should they go public. Do they have the names of the officials who they believe acted illegally and inappropriately? In many cases, the answer is yes. Did all officials act illegally and inappropriately? NO. Many were very helpful and had great concern for the well being of the residents and were there to assist them with the best of intentions.



The people in Greensburg are a close, tight knit community, everyone knows everyone kind of place. They were very resentful of government coming in and telling them what they had to do. They would have preferred to stay and help each other locate valuables and guns and not leave their property. Several residents have reported that FEMA did more harm than good and would not even cooperate with local law enforcement. Residents of the town who were firefighters and trained in rescue operations wanted to stay and help their neighbors and friends and were told they could not.



The many stories that have been shared with me are too lengthy to include in this report. I just pose these questions. If there was even one act of misconduct or illegal activity by any governmental official are we to stand by idly and allow it without complaint? Should those who broke the law be allowed to continue to “serve” as law enforcement officials without question? Should the residents of Greensburg have to fear reprisal if they report and file complaints about what happened to them? Should Kansas and its legislative body do nothing to see to it that this never happens again?



I am turning over all of the information I have obtained to the NRA complete with names and numbers of those residents which I have spoke with. I am also going to turn the information over to some members of the Kansas House and Senate. I would urge everyone to contact their legislators and demand that a full investigation be conducted in to the events that took place in Greensburg. HB 2811, The Emergency Powers Act is a bill designed to prevent this exact kind of thing from happening and provide a remedy if it does (see that article). At the time of this publication that bill is in the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. Rise up Kansas! Let your voice be heard! Don’t let your town be next!!


Patricia A. Stoneking
Target Master Shooting Academy, LLC
NRA Certified Training Counselor
Law Enforcement Certified Tactical Firearms Instructor
Northeast Quadrant Director, Board of Directors, Kansas State Rifle Association
Legislative Liaison, Board of Directors, Tri-County Rod and Gun Club
Vice President, Board of Directors, Kansas Second Amendment Society
P. O. Box 117
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
(913) 667-3044

[JoeWilliams]

"One family, whose house was not damaged, reported that officers were going to remove them at gun point when they refused to leave their property and a gun fight was only averted when a KBI agent stepped in front of the other officers and pleaded with them to consider what they were doing. Those residents had taken up their shotguns and were not going to leave. We can only say thank heavens for that KBI officer who had the sense to realize what pressing these people at gun point would mean. "

This is what it will take to put a stop to this action by government thugs. Sooner or later, the jackboots are going to cause a gun fight with someone they cannot paint as a racist or child molester, and the war will be on. Jackboots need to start going to jail.

[LittleRedToyota]

just FYI...

the NRA investigated this incident and came to the conclusion that no guns were illegally confiscated.

this happened over (or at least close to) a year ago...and few people have even heard about it--as opposed to katrina. i take that, as well as the NRAs statements on the topic, as evidence that the picture painted by the above article is misleading.

[CarolinaGuy]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

just FYI...

the NRA investigated this incident and came to the conclusion that no guns were illegally confiscated.

Do you have a link for that?

The only thing I can find addresses legislation being introduced to prevent further "Katrina and Greensburg" incidents.

http://www.nraila.org/legislation/read.aspx?id=3768

Kansas: Two Pro-Gun Bills Head to Governor Sebelius!

Friday, April 04, 2008


Please Contact Governor Sebelius Today!

This week, two important pro-gun bills were passed out of the Senate with strong support. Kansas’ Emergency Powers legislation, House Bill 2811 was amended into House Bill 2280 in conference committee and was passed by the State Senate with a vote of 30 to 2. On Thursday, April 3, it passed out of the State House unanimously. HB2811, now known as HB2280, would protect law-abiding gun owners’ right to keep and bear arms, and would prevent the confiscation of firearms during a declared state of emergency such as occurred in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, as well as in the wake of the tornado that ravaged Greensburg.

Also passed this week, Senate Bill 46, which passed the State Senate by a vote of 28 to 9. SB46 was amended and passed by the State House Committee on Federal and State Affairs to include language that would allow Kansas firearm retailers, manufacturers, importers, and citizens qualified under the National Firearms Act to sell, manufacture, import, and possess NFA firearms. Federal law already allows this for all 50 states, but current Kansas statutes prevent law-abiding citizens from possessing these firearms.

Both of these bills now head to Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) for her consideration.

Please call Governor Sebelius and respectfully urge her to sign both HB2280 and SB46 into law

[sluggie24]

That seems to indicate that firearms WERE confiscated in Greensburg.

Maybe the NRA didn't dig deep enough.

At this point I would believe a citizen over our governmnet any day of the week..........

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by CarolinaGuy

Do you have a link for that?

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2994

Update on Greensburg, Kansas

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Last week, NRA reported that we were investigating allegations of gun confiscation in the aftermath of the tornado that ravaged Greensburg, Kansas. NRA received a number of phone calls from troubled NRA members in Greensburg who were concerned that law enforcement had inappropriately removed firearms from their homes after the deadly tornadoes. In response, NRA sent representatives to Greensburg to gather as much information as possible, spoke with area law enforcement and local elected officials to determine what had transpired.

After investigating these complaints, there was no evidence of any illegal gun confiscations or seizures. However, there were firearms recovered by law enforcement that are now in the process of being returned.

Gun owners whose firearms were recovered by area law enforcement may claim them at the “gun trailer”, located east of Davis Park on the north side of U.S. 54. Please bring proper identification. The trailer is open from 10:00am until 4:00pm Monday through Friday until all firearms are returned.

NRA will continue to monitor the situation in Greensburg, and we will remain vigilant in investigating any future complaints of illegal gun confiscation wherever it may happen. If your firearms were recovered by law enforcement following the tornado in Greensburg and you have any trouble retrieving your firearms, please call us at 1-800-392-8683.

[CarolinaGuy]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

After investigating these complaints, there was no evidence of any illegal gun confiscations or seizures. However, there were firearms recovered by law enforcement...

? ? ? ?

So what constitutes legal gun confiscation?

Why, when you need it most, do authorities have the right to remove your source of security?

Seems like legally seizing your lifejacket after your boat capsizes to me.

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by CarolinaGuy

? ? ? ?

So what constitutes legal gun confiscation?

Why, when you need it most, do authorities have the right to remove your source of security?

Seems like legally seizing your lifejacket after your boat capsizes to me.

i don't think any guns were actually confiscated.

i can't find the link, but in researching the issue, i read a few posts on another forum from LEOs who were actually there.

they said they did not take any firearms from any people or occupied homes. they collected firearms that had been scattered around by the tornado (as it tore houses apart and deposited their contents all over) and firearms left in unoccupied homes that had been rendered not secure by the tornado.

in cases where the firearms were recovered from unoccupied houses, they noted the address and the owners got them back just by showing ID proving they lived at that address.

in the cases of the guns that were scattered around, they often were not recovered from even close to where they "lived" and were often badly damaged. they were trying to return these guns as well, but it was not always easy to figure out what gun belonged to whom without serial numbers (since they were not found at the owner's residence) if you had your serial numbers, then you could get them back easily.

i can't find the link, but that's essentially what they said.