>Senator Frank R. Lautenberg responds on “Operation Fast and Furious”
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initiative known as Operation Fast and Furious. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
As you may know, Operation Fast and Furious is an ATF initiative in Phoenix, Arizona seeking to reduce violent crime associated with Mexican criminal organizations in the U.S. and to prevent these organizations from illegally obtaining firearms and explosives from the U.S. The operation is part of a larger ATF strategy known as Project Gunrunner. Through this project, ATF has recommended more than 2,500 criminals for prosecution and seized more than 10,000 firearms illegally destined for Mexico.
Operation Fast and Furious has received increased scrutiny after the December 2010 shooting death of Customs and Border Protection Agent Brian Terry in Arizona. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) has asked for an investigation into Project Gunrunner because of concerns that ATF knew the weapon used to kill Agent Terry was bought illegally, but allowed the sale to proceed. Senator Grassley has requested that an independent Inspector General conduct a review of Project Gunrunner. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has also requested that a special counsel be appointed to investigate the matter.
During Senate consideration of a bill (H.R. 2112) funding ATF and a number of other federal agencies, an amendment was introduced that would prohibit funding for Operation Fast and Furious or other operations during which federal agents are not continuously monitoring or controlling firearms at all times. This amendment passed the Senate with my support. The bill to which it is attached must now be approved by the Senate and the House before this provision can be signed into law.
Please be assured that I am closely monitoring this issue and will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider further relevant legislation. Thank you again for contacting me
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