Shipley makes appeal to overturn gun convictions

“It is lamentable that the government seems to argue that the fabricated story of Shipley’s firearm killing a Mexican military officer was a fair inference from the evidence,” the brief explained. “Again, after the jury verdict and before sentencing, the United States conceded that these representations were fabricated.

Think of what that means. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report brings the latest chapter in a story with bizarre twists that I first started covering in 2009. True to form, if you do a Google News search for "John Shipley," the only one reporting on his case is me. 

Facts of Shipley case lead to some conclusions, much speculation

One that readers have asked in correspondence: How could Shipley’s attorney allow such prejudicial tactics on the part of the prosecution?

Another is why the government went to such lengths to go after Shipley. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report notes some questions will require more people asking them if we expect to get answers.

Shipley Hearing Today

On record reconstruction... [Read]

Why would they have to do that?

Oh.

Copies of the defense attorney's objection to producing what should be privileged work papers/documents and an update memo from DOJ on the US Attorney assigned to the case are also posted.

If you're unfamiliar with the Shipley case, check these out:

• Is FBI agent Mexican 'crime gun' source?
• Is FBI agent in Mexican gun case being persecuted?
• Is FBI agent charged with illegal gun dealing just a collector?
• Jury finds FBI's Shipley guilty on gun charges
• Family of FBI agent convicted on gun charges: 'Battle lost, war still on'

I wish I had time to do more on this right now, but there's only one of me and the plate is full. Ain't it curious how, when their own tribe turns against them, the only ones insisting on justice for all are ornery "anti-government extremists"?

You who are still part of a machine that hasn't turned on you (yet) might want to keep that in mind.

Jury Finds FBI's Shipley Guilty on Gun Charges

As heartbreaking as that is, I can't help but think about other Americans taken from their families by an enforcement apparatus Shipley has been a part of—men like Wayne Fincher or David Olofson, who harmed no one, but who nonetheless ran afoul of edicts trampling a proscription that could not be more clear... [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner questions a verdict.

Also watch yesterday's Trigger Sports LIVE!

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We're the Only Ones on the Front Lines of the Drug War Enough

Shipley ruled that the suspension and probation were appropriate, but gave Greenwood his shift-bidding privileges back, saying that he found the police department "at least somewhat negligent" due to the one-year lapse between the time Greenwood began visiting the area in question and the time that he was told by superiors to stop going there.

Shipley also said he did not find the charge of "neglect of duty" supported by the evidence presented to him. [More]

Don't they routinely bust into houses--any houses--and kill people over stuff like this? Houses where "Only Ones" aren't hanging out...?

[Via Carl S]

The Strange Case of FBI Agent John Shipley

What follows is a summation of my coverage of the story of John Shipley. [More]

Think of it as the "CliffsNotes version" of a convoluted story that spans years, takes all kinds of bizarre twists and turns, and is still unfolding.

Heads We Win, Tails You Lose

By the time the appellate court is able to rule on whether or not Shipley will receive a new trial, Shipley will have served his prison sentence. [More]

Welcome to Borg justice, where resistance is futile.

Oh look: The "Authorized Journalists" have just figured out there might be a story here when testimony can't be used in an appeal because government employees entrusted with maintaining the records somehow mysteriously scratched the disk that wasn't backed up and made it unreadable...seems to me I read something about that recently...but where?

Shipley appeal presents former FBI agent’s side of gun charges

Perhaps most troubling and outrageous is the accusation that “the prosecutors fabricated a story that a firearm that Shipley once owned killed a Mexican army captain, and showed the jury photos of weapons and armament in Mexico that had no connection to this case whatsoever, [and] they improperly sought to inflame the jury with emotional appeal…” [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner follow-up uncovers more disturbing aspects of an already troubling case.

Another Dangerous "Gun Criminal" Off the Street!

Susan P. Dorsey, 50, sold four revolvers, a .22-caliber, two .38-calibers and a .32-caliber, to the pawnshop, the Baltimore Gun Task Force found while reviewing its records. The guns belonged to Dorsey's father, who is deceased.

Stupid move, Susan. You should have taken them to one of those "gun buy-backs", where you could have redeemed them for gift certificates, cash or prizes--all "no questions asked."

I love how spokespolicestateapologist Greg Shipley credits a "meticulous review of pawnshop records by the Baltimore Gun Task Force" for this stunning success at keeping us all safe. I don't suppose it's occurred to you, Greg, that if Susan had really wanted to bypass the system, she'd have just sold the guns "on the street" with no records. Let's see what your "Task Force" could have done about that.

I also can't help but notice how a conviction 18 years ago means this woman is forever deemed unworthy to be able to protect her life. As long as we're going to invoke those standards, shouldn't they be applied equally to all?

No Firearm Owner is Safe

Jeff and Chris Knox tell WND readers about the case of John Shipley. [Read]

Tonight on Armed American Radio

"Newschick" Val DeOre rejoins Marks Walters as guest co-host tonight from 8 to 11 pm Eastern.

I'll be joining them in the 10:00 "Roundtable" segment to talk about my latest series of reports pointing to gunwalking in the Shipley case.

Click here to find a station in your area or to listen via live streaming.

Reports point to ATF oversight and authorization of illegal rifle sale

Today’s installment runs through two more documents provided to Gun Rights Examiner by a source close to the Shipley case, ATF ROIs that detail how the sale of the Barrett went down, introduce us to a mysterious stranger, and demonstrate that the transaction must have been authorized by ATF agents who had been closely monitoring things with FFL cooperation. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report asks why ATF hasn't done anything about an "illegal" sale that took place under their noses--and the only answer that makes sense is, that's the way they want it.

The Immunity Syndrome

Gee, Officer Krupke,
We're down on our knees,
'Cause no one wants a fellow with a social disease.  

[From "West Side Story"]

Mike comments on the USA Today piece about the new push for the old deception to treat guns as a public health issue (I discussed this briefly on Sunday with Mark Walters on Armed American Radio). [Read]

I've got to get back into the next installment of the unfolding Shipley story, but wanted to make a few quick points.

First, note  one of the collectivist pseudo-scientists at the center of this is none other than the Hero of Medicine and star of "Where's Wintemute?"

Next, one of the assertions they make that  leaves a door wide open: If "gun violence" is a "disease," let's see if it behaves like others.  One of the things about a contagion is it spreads throughout a population, leveling those who come in contact with it, bringing down the high and the low without regard for trivial superficial social trappings, none of which result in immunity to basic biology where plague is concerned.

Now we need to ask if some segments of the populace are more susceptible to  the "disease" and if some show an inexplicable immunity.  I would submit that the 4+ million members of the NRA provide a good representative and statistically-valid sample of the latter. After all, they're one of the most heavily-armed populations on the planet, yet when was the last time you read about one of them doing a turf war drive-by or a liquor store robbery?  Why are there no recurring headlines documenting their being driven to kill because of "easy access" to guns?

Wouldn't a responsible methodology now consider the factors that exacerbate susceptibility for "gun violence" in one group and confer immunity in the other?

Otherwise, will the federal grant recipients at the Firearm Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin suggest that the contagious be quarantined?

I don't suppose it occurs to those who would impose  a freedom quarantine on all of us that most "social diseases" are pretty much preventable with self-control and responsible behavior, like being mindful of who you choose to associate with and what you choose to do with them, and that the explanation for immunity lies therein?

Shipley documents point to more government-sanctioned gunwalking

“The address on Lopez’s license is in Juarez, Mexico,” the source pointed out. “It is illegal to sell a firearm to a resident of Mexico. [The] FFL would not [participate in the sale of] a firearm to a non-immigrant unless it was done with the permission of the ATF to further an ongoing investigation." [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report is the first in an exclusive series that will unfold over the next few days.

Armed American Radio

Last night's show is posted. Host Mark Walters' guests included "News Chick" Val DeOre "back by popular demand," New Yorker columnist Dan Baum, author Kathy Jackson, David Burnette, and George "Mad Ogre" Hill.

• 8-19-2012 Hour 3
• 8-19-2012 Hour 2
• 8-19-2012 Hour 1

I was on in Hour 3 and set up the background for the John Shipley series in the first half of the hour, and brought listeners up to date in the last half.

Durbin shows as much respect for First Amendment as he does for Second

Think who it was who not only filed the initial reports on Fast and Furious “gunwalking,” but who cajoled and wheedled and begged for almost two months to get the media and political establishment to notice. Now recall who did not think the story was particularly noteworthy. 

Reflect on the virtual media blackout for updates on the case of the Reese family. And then remember what they didn’t tell you about John Shipley, or David Olofson, or Lawrence Mirsky or many others.

And if you’ve never heard of Wayne Fincher, don’t blame me. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report notes that what "legitimate media" doesn't report is often as telling as what it does (and how it does it). That "progressive" politicians want to use the power of the state against those it does not favor should be all we need to know about their intentions, and should also be a pretty good indicator of why they demand control of all the guns.

Speaking of 'Shall Not Be Infringed'...

According to the plea agreement, undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the help of a confidential informant, purchased 14 firearms from Goldman’s vendor booth at a flea market... [More]

Who? Goddam weasel...

That said, I've seen vendors like this at flea markets and marveled that they were so apparently unconcerned with "the rules"...

Some day I need to find the time to get Wayback Machine links for my John Shipley articles.

[Via Remarks]

Naples gun acquittal shows disturbing trend in federal prosecutions

Of significance was the government’s key witness, “a twice-convicted felon with a lengthy rap sheet who has earned at least $87,000 from the government over the past few years, including $7,500 for this case,” the report reveals. “Jurors weren’t told the star witness’ convictions involved murder, attempted murder and assault in aid of racketeering.” [More] 

Today's Gun Rights Examiner offering notes unethical tactics against good people by federal prosecutors continue to be the norm, just like in the Reese and Shipley cases.

German socialist: 'Guns for me but not for thee'?

See, we're really nice guys now. Those other "old school" progressives, well, they were just perverts. You can trust us with a monopoly of violence. Honest. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner observes latter day German National Socialists want everyone disarmed but themselves.

This is my shocked face.

Also get an update on the Shipley sentencing hearing.

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Appeals court denies extension in Shipley case despite strangely lost testimony

“The optical media (CDs) marked as Exhibits C & D were imaged, although the file system was corrupted. It is unknown how or why the media was corrupted. The optical media (CD) marked as Exhibit E was visibly scratched. The agent reported that in his opinion, the scratches, in a swirl format, was intentionally done,” a case document reveals. [More] 

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column asks what's a little bit of sabotaged court records among friends?