I have attended too many gun shows across the nation in the last 40+ years to even have a count. I have met an spoken with ATF agents a number of times and my job often required an interface with federal LEOs. Most all were professional men and women. This weekend at a very small (150 tables) Florida show near Pensacola, we were given the usual caution over the PA by the promoter to conduct ourselves according to all of the state and federal gun laws. I did not have a table at the show but was sitting at a friend's table visiting when we were informed that all tables were being video taped by 4 ATF agents, 2 men and 2 women. Perhaps, I have spent too many years away from America in the service of my country or maybe I believed Americans were respected by their government. A most naïve position! I knew that the Second Amendment was under attack by political opponents but did not until yesterday realize the full implication of what it must of felt like in Germany in 1939!
An Interesting Encounter
- Thread starter delta-419
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Read a recent article regarding gun shows in New York state. Our friends Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly and the New York Attorney General are now monitoring gun show sales personally.
Gabrielle Giffords to attend gun show in upstate New York | 7online.com
Gabrielle Giffords to attend gun show in upstate New York | 7online.com
HereSinceTheLongHunters
Member
Video taping can turn situations confrontational very quickly. It is intimidation and harassment and it isn't safe. The act carries an implication of criminal potential/intent/suspicion through association.
Is it illegal search and seizure? An unconstitutional violation of our right to free assembly? Is it time to ban video equipment at gun shows?? Where's that NRA Attorney when you need him...?
Is it illegal search and seizure? An unconstitutional violation of our right to free assembly? Is it time to ban video equipment at gun shows?? Where's that NRA Attorney when you need him...?
redneckemt
Member
No expectation of privacy while in public? Plain view? I don't like it. But I cant think of why it would be Unconstitutional
Stu1205
Member
I am very surprised that the promoter would allow that.
DigiRebel
Member
Its my expectation that he didn't which is why there was the announcement.
Its not against the law to record people like that but it would definitely make me feel uncomfortable. But then what can you expect in the anti-gun environment some of the folks around the country want to foster right now.
Its underhanded tactics like these that we'll see more of as they try to subvert the 2nd Amendment.
25elk
Member
I concur with the opinion of the OP, but as far as banning video taping! Really, how many thousands of times has anything been captured on a cell phone. We live in an age where there is absolutely no privacy once you leave your own property and even at that, you had better live well beyond the nearest road and have plenty of tree and shrub cover. Yes, it is infuriating, but that's life as we now live it.
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Your friend should have turned on a video camera and taped ATF. You know ... just for posterity. 
Mike
Mike
Silly you! It is obvious to anyone who cares to consider the matter that certain groups of American citizens are regarded with great suspicion and distrust, and even outright contempt - and not just by the current administration in Washington D.C. either. It may not even be foremost among the would-be oppressors. The list is a long one and governments aren't the only ones on it.
Hodgin
US Veteran
Don't particularly like it, but we're recorded about everywhere these days. Unless the ATF is violating some law by taping someone who doesn't want to be taped I don't know anything that can be done about it.
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