Moles

[ApprenticeBuilder]

but on a level field you should, by law, prevail.

Problem with this statement, when was the last time the field was level?

In the war on drugs, (which has been an astronomical failure) they can buy and confiscate drugs, then turn right around and sell them in a "sting" to net larger individuals, isn't that entrapment as well? In effect breaking the law to catch more bad guys ?

 

I am not a lawyer - but doesn't that come under the heading of entrapment or false representation or just plain :bull: on the part of the BATF Storm Troopers?

 

[Eric/WV]

but on a level field you should, by law, prevail.

Problem with this statement, when was the last time the field was level?

In the war on drugs, (which has been an astronomical failure) they can buy and confiscate drugs, then turn right around and sell them in a "sting" to net larger individuals, isn't that entrapment as well? In effect breaking the law to catch more bad guys ?

It would only be entrapment if the Officer stopped someone and said something like, "Hey...I'll sell you these drugs for X-amount of dollars". However, it would be perfectly legal if someone approached the officer and asked to buy drugs.

For example...it would be entrapment if an undercover officer stopped a woman and said, "I'll pay you $100 for sex"

It is not entrapment as long as the officer only mentions that he is looking for sex. If the woman agrees and mentions a price, the officer can make an arrest.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Not sure if this is pertinant to this particular forum but it is an issue for all of those that persue this hobby.

I just recieved this today in e-mail from a member working out of state and am not sure of his sources, but I do believe the threat to be real, maybe Paul would weigh in on the legalities of this.

" I just got some disturbing news from a fairly reliable source, that the BATF is sending out undercover agents (again) to various re-inactment events like ours and Civil War etc. and setting people up with lines like "hey buddy I ran out of powder can I buy some from ya?" Well there is a felony conviction, jail time, and a $10,000 fine not to mention confiscation"

I guess this wasn't some farce after all...

 

[Zonie]

I'm not sure why you said it isn't some "farce after all".

I've seen no proof that the BATFE has done what the E-Mail you posted says it did.
No first hand documentation at all.

Somewhere I recently read that the BATFE's jurisdiction only deals with black powder quantities of 50 pounds and above.
If this is true there would be no reason for them to try to sit up a person to sell a pound or two of powder.

The local law on the other hand may have control of quantities of a pound or less of black powder in the State or City and I wouldn't put it past them to try something like the story says.

Edit: OK, I see where roundball got an answer and some person from ATF felt that selling any powder would be illegal.
I'm still not sure why they would bother to try to set up some reenactor though. That sounds like the kind of idea that comes from local or State government to me.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Well according to the reply Roundball recieved there is indeed restrictions on selling a one pound can of powder if you are not in posession of a license, they may not be currently running a sting but the threat is real.