U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., says he has assigned four investigators to look into the escapade of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that has become known as “Project Gunrunner.”
Issa made the statement in a live broadcast interview with talk-radio host Roger Hedgecock. The case centers on allegations of a flow of guns into Mexico orchestrated by the federal agency, including a weapon that later was used to kill a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
Investigators will examine allegations that the ATF encouraged gun shops to sell guns to questionable customers so it could track the weapons as they were smuggled into Mexico.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform spokesman Seamus Kraft says Issa's committee is launching the investigation because of the people's right to know what their government is doing.
“Americans have a right to know who let this program happen and why. Our investigation seeks to deliver the facts so taxpayers can decide who should be held accountable,” Kraft explained.
In the Hedgecock interview, committee chairman Issa said he intends to find out who lied about the firearms smuggling operation.
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Gun Digest 2011, The World's Greatest Gun Book, 65th Edition
Gun Digest 1944-2009 3-DVD Set
Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World
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