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A journalist's guide to 'Project Gunwalker'

Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 2 February, 2011 | David Codrea

Posted on by marktwain

The following is a summary and time line of articles appearing on the Sipsey Street Irregulars blog and Gun Rights Examiner, reflecting original reporting on the developing "Project Gunwalker" story by Mike Vanderboegh and myself. That's the purposely ironic name I assigned it, a parody of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive's "Project Gunrunner," and it refers to allegations by whistleblowing ATF insiders that:

* ATF management was allowing potentially hundreds of semiautomatic firearms to be walked across the Mexican border in order to pad statistics used to further budget and power objectives.

* Mexican authorities were kept in the dark, and protests that they should be informed were overridden, first by the Phoenix ATF office, and ultimately by higher-ups in Washington, DC.

* A gun used in this operation was involved in a December 2010 incident in which a Border Patrol agent was killed.

The original allegations were posted on CleanUpATF.org. Vanderboegh and I, who have a history going back years of documenting allegations posted there, and pressing for congressional hearings to investigate the claims, were both contacted independently by various ATF insiders claiming to have corroborating information and documentation. Mike vetted his sources and I used my contacts to help validate that my informant was who he represented himself to be. Mike and I did what we could throughout our separate and coordinated investigations to test and corroborate what was being told. We also had a small circle of behind-the-scenes consultants, including firearms designer Len Savage, and a few other knowledgeable advisors, all with contacts and informed insights of their own, and all of whom have earned our trust over the years.

Our primary goal was to help arrange for protection for our sources, and quickly, as retaliation was feared. Because the allegations involved higher ups within the Justice Department, the added protection afforded by separation of powers was sought. Through various contacts and machinations that are documented in the following timeline, the whistleblowers came under the protective umbrella of Sen. Charles Grassley, a senior member of the Committee of the Judiciary.

Our secondary goal was to push this story outside our limited spheres of influence and into the "mainstream press," so that it would be problematic to ignore or bury things. Again, making this happen has been an ongoing struggle, but we've seen the first cracks in the dam. The following time line will bring journalists just getting involved with this story up to speed by walking them though it, from its genesis to where we are today as major media outlets finally begin to take notice and get involved.

By way of a FAQ, two seem to be recurrent:

Will you have your sources contact us?

and

Will you provide us with copies of documentation?

The answer to both is "No." The reason is one of protection. You will need to observe official proceedings and develop/consult sources of your own.

Here's what's happened so far, at least what I can publicly disclose:

Dec. 28:

* Border Patrol agent killed with ATF-smuggled AR? Some ATF agents seem to think so.

Jan. 3:

* So the DOJ comes to visit, worried about the ATF-smuggled gun that may have killed the Border Patrol officer last month, and their exit page is CUATF.

Jan. 5:

* "Pure fact verified." The ATF scandal that's going to guarantee oversight hearings.

* ATF source confirms walking guns to Mexico to pad statistics

Jan. 6:

* More information on ATF walking guns across Mexican border

Jan. 7:

* Walk Don't Run

* White House now in decision making loop on ATF "Walking Gun-gate" scandal. The ghost of Vince Foster to walk the corridors of the fifth floor?

* This just in on the Mexican end of what David Codrea has called "Project Gunwalker."

Jan. 10:

* The Curious Case of the Walking M-16s by L. Neil Smith

Jan. 12:

* Following the various threads of Project Gunwalker -- "Gun Dealer: 'ATF Approved Sales to Mexican Gun Runners'"

Jan. 13:

* Does Texas gun shop tie in with Project Gunwalker?

Jan. 18:

* Is Project Gunwalker about to bust wide open?

* "Project Gunwalker" scandal story at a tipping point this morning, though it may take a short while for you to see it.

* Senators crawfish on helping agents in Project Gunwalker scandal. See if you can't help concentrate their minds.

Jan. 19:

* Open Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee staff on 'Project Gunwalker'

* Sources, Timeline and Summary of the ATF "Project Gunwalker" scandal and the death of BP agent Brian Terry.

* We have movement on the Senate side of the Project Gunwalker scandal.

* Outstanding idea from Kurt Hofmann on ratcheting up the pressure on the Project Gunwalker scandal!

Jan. 20:

* Mayors Against Illegal Guns issues new graphic in light of ATF's "Project Gunwalker" scandal!

* Yogi Berra was right. Rumor of a big, bad ATF bust early next week.

Jan. 21:

* Project Gunwalker sources talking to Senate staffers

* The shadow war for the truth. "Management culture of ATF holds no regard for the life and/or safety of front line agents." STAND DOWN THE ATF!

* Will the Mexican reporter who called last night about Project Gunwalker please contact me?

* Senators now in contact with ATF agents about Project Gunwalker scandal.

Jan. 22:

* Knox reports on Project Gunwalker

* Jeff Knox and World Net Daily pick up on the Project Gunwalker scandal.

* Brian Terry memorial service marred by insincere promises and pious platitudes

Jan. 23:

* Project Gunwalker investigators: Watch for smears, focus on leads

* David Codrea on Liberty Watch Radio about Project Gunwalker.

Jan. 25:

* ATF Project Gunrunner dog and pony show in Phoenix today. Are they ready to spin the "modified limited hangout" on the death of BPA Terry?

* Here's the dog and pony show -- "Gun Running Operation Uncovered in Arizona." Yeah? Did they arrest the Phoenix ATF SAC as the mastermind?

Jan. 26:

* Hans von Spakovsky asks "Is the fix in at Justice? Appointing Robin Ashton to oversee ethical standards is like choosing a fox to guard the henhouse."

* More on the Project Gunrunner dog and pony show in Phoenix.

Jan. 27:

* One question for Project Gunwalker skeptics * This just in: Senate is now referring to "Project Gunwalker" as the "Brian Terry Whistleblower Case" plus a question for Project Gunwalker skeptics.

Jan. 30:

* Phoenix ATF reportedly retaliating against Project Gunwalker whistleblower

* Mexican press picks up on 'Project Gunwalker'

* David Codrea: "Phoenix ATF reportedly retaliating against Project Gunwalker whistleblower."

* "Torpedo . . . LOS!" MEXICAN PRESS PICKS UP ON 'PROJECT GUNWALKER'!! ATF brass headed for lifeboats?

Jan. 31:

* Why does link for Mexican newspaper redirect to the FBIs website?

* A Sipsey Street Exclusive: Senator Grassley is on the Project Gunwalker scandal case -- big time.

* BREAKING NEWS: Grassley Writes Melson on Project Gunwalker

* "We do not permit the exit of arms to Mexico." Riiight. El Diaro translation, cleaned up by, ironically enough, Avatar at CleanUpATF.org

* ATF execs' ululations of agony -- Not-so-instant Karma at the tipping point of the perpetual scandal that is ATF -- and David Olofson's revenge.

* There's going to be a lot more of this before it is over.

* Plumbing the considerable depths of ATF spokesman "Baghdad Tom" Mangan's 'unawareness.'

Feb. 1:

* Media begins noticing Project Gunwalker

* Three Examiner Columns on "Project Gunwalker": Two from David and one from Kurt

* Burning the midnight oil at DOJ over Project Gunwalker.

* If it is on television, it must be true.

* Actions louder than words. Eric Holder just told the President of Mexico and Senator Charles Grassley to go fornicate themselves.

Feb. 2:

* Has ATF Phoenix SAC been transferred to Mexico?

* Late to the story, Pravda (WaPo) Parrots Kremlin Cover Up Line.

* "Heer there be Dragones." My letter to the Pravda reporters. "Welcome to the Project Gunwalker Scandal story."

* Washington Post Project Gunwalker piece lets key claim go unchallenged

* FOX News picks up the Project Gunwalker story.

This post will be regularly updated with new links, so those interested in having a one-stop resource to keep up with Mike and my posts should bookmark it and return to keep apprised of new developments.

From other Gun Rights Examiners:

Sean McClanahan/Des Moines:

* Senator Grassley pushes BATFE on Project Gunwalker

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

* 'Project Gunwalker': Another angle from which to bring the heat

* Cutting BATFE's funding sounding better and better

Dave Workman/Seattle:

* Selective Seattle coverage: Bloomy gun show sting v. alleged ATF 'negligence'

* Silence in Seattle: Why is Brady Campaign defending ATF operation?



TOPICS:

Constitution/Conservatism

Culture/Society

Government

News/Current Events

KEYWORDS:

atf

banglist

constitution

gunwalker

Freepers can find quite a few articles about project gunwalker by doing a search for the key word "gunwalker".



To: marktwain

Bookmark



by 2 posted onby DocRock (All they that TAKE the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew 26:52 Gun grabbers beware.)

To: marktwain

* ATF management was allowing potentially hundreds of semiautomatic firearms to be walked across the Mexican border in order to pad statistics used to further budget and power objectives. The WACO mindset. Got a few agents killed and over 80 men women and children, citizens generally of the USA, incinerated for their belief, and for being in the wrong place at the right time. I watched stunned that our government could do such a thing, and that the “people” would stand for it. So much for stunned on both counts. Then the court system further dumped on the few survivors. A travesty. Are we any different today? The government is X years deeper into itself, than it was at WACO, and now we are watching WACO on a global basis.



To: marktwain

"Actions louder than words. Eric Holder just told the President of Mexico and Senator Charles Grassley to go fornicate themselves. "

and this little statement right here puts this in the white house.....watergate was over a bug in a room...this one involves the murder of a federal agent...man, this is hugh and series....



by 4 posted onby joe fonebone (The House has oversight of the Judiciary...why are the rogue judges not being impeached?)

To: marktwain

If the Pulitzer wasn’t a lefty org, Codrea and Vanderbough would win the big prize for this story.



To: DocRock

Ties in well with Hillary Clinton’s push for Global U.N. small arms treaty. Hillary Clinton Signs UN Small Arms Treaty

May 24th, 2010 This is Congressman Paul Broun from Georgia.Im writing you to make sure American citizens are prepared to oppose this assault on our national sovereignty and right to keep and bear arms.Disguised as legislation to help in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and international crime syndicates, the UNs Small Arms Treaty is nothing more than a massive, GLOBAL gun control scheme.Ultimately, the UNs Small Arms Treaty is designed to register, ban and CONFISCATE firearms owned by private citizens like YOU. http://maddmedic.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/hillary-clinton-commits-to-un-small-arms-treaty-4/



by 6 posted onby broken_arrow1 (I regret that I have but one life to give for my country - Nathan Hale "Patriot")

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