Ohio Town To Bloomberg: Butt Out

2009_10_gunshowbl.jpg On Wednesday, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled the latest efforts in his crusade against illegal guns coming in NYC by allegedly showing how easy it would be to buy a gun—without a background check or with a straw purchaser—at gun shows in Nevada, Ohio and Tennessee. Of course, one town wasn't too pleased with our big city mayor sending in investigators for the sting operation at a local gun show.

Based on NYC's "Gun Show Undercover" report, 75% of the time guns were "sold to people who said either they probably could not pass a background check or to apparent 'straw purchasers.'" The town of Sharonville, Ohio issued a statement:

"It is nice that Mayor Bloomberg has spent New York money hiring private investigators to identify alleged crimes of federal law in other states. However, proper arrests cannot be made without informing the Sharonville Police Department. Customarily, we are informed of these types of investigations so that we can coordinate with the appropriate federal agency...

It should be noted that federal agencies are actively involved in monitoring and enforcing these gun shows including the one represented in the investigation. The violations referred to are federal and not state. The City of Sharonville does not have jurisdiction over federal laws, but does take any violation very seriously. To our knowledge no federal agency was informed of this private investigation and, therefore, makes enforcement of these particular incidents impossible.

The town did add that it was working with the gun show organizer to make sure all laws are being followed. Private unlicensed gun sellers are not required to perform background checks, though it's still a felony to sell guns to people they have reason to believe are prohibited purchasers, like felons. Mayor Bloomberg said, "The gun show loophole is a deadly serious problem."

Earlier this week, the NRA offered up a pro-Bloomberg mobster-type in a video to rally support for a Republican gubernatorial candidate in Virginia.

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Comments (7) [rss]

All I know is that Bono and Gore support Bloomberg, who's into progress, not politics.

This site has been bought off.

Agreed. Whether it is purchasing a gun under specious circumstances or plastering Mikes mug all over this site, money talks. Can Gothamist honestly state that it is not pro or anti Bloomberg? I am sure that if William C. Thompson had any money, Gothamist would take it as fast and furious as it did Bloomberg's. But apparently he doesn't. Which means, there is disproportional and thus ostensible leanings toward Bloomberg.

If it had any self respect it would decline the money-"Oh but we couldn't exist were it not for money from advertising"-or at least restrict how much of it Gothamist accepted to at least attempt to dispel any sense of partisanship. But the existence of this blog is obviously more important to itself than maintaining its integrity. Phooey on you, Gothamist Girl.

really? are you serious? is that how you think the world works? thanks for coming out, ohio.

It has something to do with Gay people in Ohio.

To: Town of Sharonville, PA
Re: Your 15 minutes of fame

You're welcome.

Keep the little corporate fascist out of Manhattan as well.

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