NCJ Number
95311
Date Published
1980
Length
741 pages
Annotation
This subcommittee hearing was called to explore citizen and National Rifle Association charges that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) and the Treasury Department abuse constitutional and civil rights when enforcing the Gun Control Act.
Abstract
The Gun Control Act's enforcement provisions covering search and seizure, warrant procedures, and privacy rights, as well as alleged incidents of BATF entrapment are reviewed. Witnesses included the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department, who testified about overall enforcement policies and procedures. Citizen witnesses from Indiana, Colorado, and Virginia testified about their experiences as a result of the enforcement of the act. Executive directors of the National Coalition to Ban Handguns and the National Rifle Association (NRA) presented their views about the BATF enforcement procedures. Appended materials include BATF and Treasury Department responses to past allegations, newspaper and magazine articles, NRA resolution about rights of firearms possession and ownership, and correspondence from citizens who believed their constitutional and civil rights had been violated. A bibliography of about 500 items is provided.