From Shawn Nealon
Cavalry Arms Corp:
For those of you sending out moral support, we very much appreciate it. This is what our 3 different Attorneys all agreed is safe to post....
"For many years Cavalry Arms Corporation (“Cavalry”) has strived to manufacture and sell quality firearms to the public. We have always strived to put our experience from the field into making quality products that the average shooter can afford, while still bringing innovations to the industry. We are dedicated to providing the best possible products and customer service to the firearms market.
On February 27, 2008, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a federal search warrant on the business premises of Cavalry and on the private residence of its CEO, Shawn Nealon. We have immediately engaged legal counsel to resolve this matter with the federal government. Cavalry is confident that all it conduct has been lawful in carrying out its business activities. The Government has yet to share with the company details of the investigation or the cause precipitating the search warrant. Cavalry is cooperating with the federal investigation. To date no accusations of wrongdoing have been filed against Cavalry or any of its employees regarding alleged illegal activity.
While we are waiting for a resolution to this situation, Cavalry Arms will remain open for business and continue firearms operations under its Manufacturer’s FFL. Unfortunately, the federal government seized business files, computers, and inventory from Cavalry during the execution of the search warrant. As a result, Cavalry has been forced to reconstitute its resources, and we expect to be fully operational in the near future. In the meantime, we still carry firearm parts and emergency medical products for sale. We appreciate your patience, and we thank everyone who has shown us support during this turbulent time."
5/2 UPDATE: Click here to see assets seized as posted in The Wall Street Journal.
As an attorney, I find it hard to believe that they don't have details of causes of why they were searched. It doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteBut, knowing that they are dealing with the BATFE, it makes perfect sense. They are just trying to shut down another dealer... Probably mad that Cav Arms makes cool AR's, and a snarky video about terrorists (OMG! Completely un-pc, right?!?), and well, "Let this be known to other gun dealers, we will come after you too!"
Stupid. Sorry.. I'm rambling. Just get so frustrated with how lawless our law enforcers are.
I had a FFL in the 80's and 90's. Always wanted to be a gunsmith. The ATF are bastards. They showed me that dealing in guns was not at business I wanted to be in. I wasted years and $$ but I learned that our government doesn't give a sh*t about us.
ReplyDeletethe ATF threatened me, bullied me, lied to me. Tried to entrap me twice. I finally gave up mainly because of their lies. I probably got off lucky.
ReplyDeleteSince you brought it up, Stephen:
ReplyDelete"To date no accusations of wrongdoing have been filed against Cavalry or any of its employees regarding alleged illegal activity."
May I ask how one is issued a warrant under these circumstances? Either they had nothing in particular to go on, or they found nothing important. So... case closed, right?
I would say that files locked in a cabinet or written on a hard disk are not in plain sight.
Not hard to get a warrant, you just shop around for an easy judge and presto.
ReplyDeleteNote that solely on the basis of that warrant BATFE has confiscated all their business files and all of their inventory. Had they found anything illegal you can be sure charges would have been made. So, they can shut you down pretty much as long as they want based on nothing but a warrant. Sweet for them, sucks to be Cavalry Arms or anyone else they take a dislike to.
So the warrant apparently described the specific items that were the subject of the warrant as;
ReplyDelete'anything you fine apparatchiks at BATF want to grab in furtherance of your bogus investigation and efforts to put these guys out of business. You may amend your affidavit in support of the warrant later, if and when you find something remotely useful to a prosecution for as yet undetermined charges."
I hope Cavalry has contacted their U.S. senators and representative. They need to get involved right now (if you can persuade them to). I also suggest you send your post to President Bush, asking him to determine the purpose of this "raid." Yet, don't be surprised if you don't hear from him. These kinds of prejudiced BATFE raids must be stopped! Their acting director is 100% anti-gun and must not be confirmed. Write your congressmen people! We can't let up - write letters; make calls!
ReplyDeletesenators and reps yes but more mileage might be gained by going to the local paper and telling the story of how a govt. agency has decided to put a small business out of business and maybe it will get on the wire services also.
ReplyDeletemore proof that we need to eliminate the BATFE.
ReplyDeleteLetters sent to Az District Rep. Rick Renzi, (or whoever our rep is now that he's been indicted), Kyl, and McCain.
ReplyDeleteWill Post their responses in our paper.
What an OUTRAGE!!!