Looking forward to where you're going with this.
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Did they call ahead or just randomly show up? Seems like their days could be complete wastes of time if they went to peoples houses between 8am and 5 pm when everyone is at work. But then again, it is .gov.
Did you ask them why were they interested in said firearm? Also was the gun used when you bought it? If it was used they might have been investigating a gun crime from the previous owner.
If a PA resident trades in a handgun for another gun (or sells it), then that receiving shop should have it in inventory, or they should have sent in a Record of Sale form.
The main reason for ATF coming to your home and asking to see a specific gun would be that they already found the gun, at a crime scene or in the possession of a criminal, and they're fishing to see what you say about it. If you said "it's in here somewhere" then you've just lied to a federal agent, which is a serious crime (ask Martha Stewart about that.)
It's best not to talk to the Feds about any crimes, unless your wife is missing and you want her back. A disproportionate number of federal convictions are process crimes, lying to agents. You can avoid that by not making any affirmative statements of fact. Hiring a lawyer to intermediate is also a possibility. I tell all my clients to mention Martha Stewart and then shut up.
If you want to help them out, use a lawyer, get the story and context. Otherwise, YOU are the target, they aren't really here to help you or "clear up a few things", and you probably don't want to help them convict you of anything, especially since they have no problem prosecuting you for honest mistakes. They can also prosecute you for telling the truth, if they have someone else who's lying and giving a different story. If you say nothing (except "I'll have my lawyer contact you"), there's no statements for them to play with.
Glad you’re amused.
I rarely post here, but I know the immigrant is a troll and I’m wondering how tough he’d really be knowing the ATF will never knock on his door because I know he’s claimed he’s not a gunowner.
So again, I was asking the poster full of bravado if he even owns a firearm or if he’s just armchair lawyering.
No I don't have a warrant I've never been arrested