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Video of ATFE expert examination
JPFO has released a video of a BATFE expert's examinaton of an alleged machinegun, and of the defense expert doing the same. The website doesn't give many details, but a viewer tells me that the ATFE showed how the rifle would fire (every now and then) in full auto, and identifies a ground-off piece of the bolt which he says converts it to full auto.
The defense expert shows then shows that the intermittent full auto fire is due to malfunction. The firing pin spring is worn and too short, and the firing pin defective, with result that the rifle occasionally slam-fires -- the firing pin is floating loose and can slam forward under inertia when the bolt closes. He points out that, in the FN-FAL rifle mechanism, the ground-off part that the ATFE expert singled out has no effect upon firing.
UPDATE: Publicola has viewed the video -- for some reason the spam filter blocked his comment, but I'll add it in the extended remarks below.
The ATFU agent used three different brands of ammo. He loaded first a single round & fired it, then two rounds & fired them. The last of the three different brands was either Winchester or Federal (I'm thinking Win but I could be mistaken). Both use a more sensitive primer than say Remington. On the last brand of ammo - & only the last - the FAL doubled.
The defense's gunsmith pointed out then that it was dangerous as it was doubling from what he assumed to be a slam fire, which very possibly could lead to an out of battery fire. The ATFU agent didn't take him or the danger seriously. I don't wish any physical harm on the ATFU agent but I wouldn't have been distraught if the bolt had explosively disassembled either. Fortunately for him it didn't happen.
The defense's gunsmith then stripped the rifle & found the worn/broken firing pin return spring as well as a damaged firing pin. A few other parts were in poor repair. The ATFU agent casually dismised all this & kept to his conclusion that since it went bang twice with one pull of the trigger it was a machine gun.
I come from Charlotte, NC where this ATFU agent is based out of. He appeared to be a local. This has
brought me much shame. Though I am not responsibile for his actions I would have hoped that folks from my home town would not have betrayed their own country, state & community as this fellow has.
Order the DVD from JFPO. When you see the ATFU agent's attitude you'll understand why I think tars & feathers were given up way too early in our history. You'll also understand why "ATF expert" has to be an oxymoron on the level of "government intelligence".
Comments
Should be easy enough to prove -- put in new spring, firing pin, fire.
Posted by: bill at November 22, 2005 02:00 AM
I remember this article . http://www.jpfo.org/alert20050103.htm
Forewarned is forearmed.
Posted by: The Mechanic at November 23, 2005 02:25 PM
tarring and feathering is too good for them - they need to have their lives destoyed like their victims, and at least go to jail for a loong time.
Posted by: Mark at November 26, 2005 04:23 PM