Here is a story about a suit being brought against the administration for gun buy-backs. http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/gun19.html
Libertarian sues over gun buybacks
September 19, 1999
BY FRANK MAIN GUN ISSUES REPORTER
The leader of the Chicago Libertarian Party is suing Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan, saying a program to buy back guns from the public violates federal firearms laws.
The lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeks an order stopping the program Sheahan launched this month. The sheriff collected 1,001 guns last weekend, 1,205 on Friday and 1,175 on Saturday. They have included at least one AK-47 assault rifle and an Uzi submachine gun, though most are small-caliber handguns.
Participants receive either $50 cash or a $75 gift certificate for each gun. The program is scheduled to continue next Friday and Saturday.
The man who filed the lawsuit, Matthew Beauchamp, chairman of the Chicago Libertarian Party, said buy-back programs do not reduce crime and also give money to people to upgrade their weapons.
The lawsuit contends Sheahan's office needs to have a federal firearms license to purchase weapons. It also claims the sheriff is violating the law by accepting weapons without asking donors for identification.
"If I did the same thing, the sheriff would be knocking on my door," said John Birch, president of Oak Brook-based Concealed Carry Inc., which supports the suit and opposes gun control measures such as the buy-back.
"[Sheahan] is using taxpayer dollars to do it. That's what really irritates us."
But Bill Cunningham, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said, "We're confident we're on firm legal ground."
Jerry Singer, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said government entities do not need a license to purchase or dispose of weapons. They are exempt from the federal Gun Control Act, he said.
Sheahan's program was announced Sept. 9, the same day that President Clinton unveiled a
proposal to give local communities $15 million to purchase firearms from private citizens. The sheriff has said the buy-back program could prevent gun-related deaths.
[This message has been edited by Elker_43 (edited September 22, 1999).]
Libertarian sues over gun buybacks
September 19, 1999
BY FRANK MAIN GUN ISSUES REPORTER
The leader of the Chicago Libertarian Party is suing Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan, saying a program to buy back guns from the public violates federal firearms laws.
The lawsuit in U.S. District Court seeks an order stopping the program Sheahan launched this month. The sheriff collected 1,001 guns last weekend, 1,205 on Friday and 1,175 on Saturday. They have included at least one AK-47 assault rifle and an Uzi submachine gun, though most are small-caliber handguns.
Participants receive either $50 cash or a $75 gift certificate for each gun. The program is scheduled to continue next Friday and Saturday.
The man who filed the lawsuit, Matthew Beauchamp, chairman of the Chicago Libertarian Party, said buy-back programs do not reduce crime and also give money to people to upgrade their weapons.
The lawsuit contends Sheahan's office needs to have a federal firearms license to purchase weapons. It also claims the sheriff is violating the law by accepting weapons without asking donors for identification.
"If I did the same thing, the sheriff would be knocking on my door," said John Birch, president of Oak Brook-based Concealed Carry Inc., which supports the suit and opposes gun control measures such as the buy-back.
"[Sheahan] is using taxpayer dollars to do it. That's what really irritates us."
But Bill Cunningham, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said, "We're confident we're on firm legal ground."
Jerry Singer, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, said government entities do not need a license to purchase or dispose of weapons. They are exempt from the federal Gun Control Act, he said.
Sheahan's program was announced Sept. 9, the same day that President Clinton unveiled a
proposal to give local communities $15 million to purchase firearms from private citizens. The sheriff has said the buy-back program could prevent gun-related deaths.
[This message has been edited by Elker_43 (edited September 22, 1999).]
