AmmoLand News secured the assistance of a data scientist, Wes Scoggin, to pore through the public comments that have flooded the ATF. People were to reflect on the agency’s attempt to establish a de facto universal background check system.
The agency further wishes to redefine anyone who sells a firearm and makes a profit as a “dealer.” The ATF claims authority to enact this sweeping change through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Scoggin found the comment section is almost entirely in favor of increased gun control, to the extent that more than 96% of respondents supported the ATF change. This despite the last two such public comment sessions on proposed gun control being dominated by defenders of the Second Amendment.
Interestingly, virtually every comment was identical.
Ninety-eight percent of the “citizen feedback” began with, “I strongly support the proposed rule to ensure that individuals who are ‘engaged in the business’ of selling firearms are licensed.”
And it went on from there to urge the ATF and Department of Justice to finalize the rule in the exact same language.
AmmoLand News found that antigun group Brady United launched an email campaign on Sept. 9. The messages contained a link allowing the recipient to submit a comment to the Federal Register.
All the person had to do was fill in their name and click one button. Well under a minute.
Scoggin noted that the comment campaign utilized a website plugin called “fastaction.” Through this they can skew the public comment results to appear that the overwhelming majority of Americans strongly agree with the ATF proposal.
Giving the antigunners a taste of their own medicine, AmmoLand News established a prepared comment for opponents of the rule change to submit. It may be found on their website and should establish a counterpoint to the narrative gun control zealots are attempting to push as fact.
