John Ross for Director of BATFE in the Trump Administration

[stoky]

 

[Tinpig]

This thread prompted me to read up on Ross. Most interesting. I searched on my favorite used-book site, abebooks.com, and found the cheapest
used paperback copy of Unintentional Consequences to be $66.48 + shipping. Ouch.

Tinpig

 

[John Ross]

This thread prompted me to read up on Ross. Most interesting. I searched on my favorite used-book site, abebooks.com, and found the cheapest
used paperback copy of Unintentional Consequences to be $66.48 + shipping. Ouch.

Tinpig

$30 new from the publisher, I believe. www.accuratepress.net

JR

 

[Old Dog]

This thread prompted me to read up on Ross. Most interesting. I searched on my favorite used-book site, abebooks.com, and found the cheapest
used paperback copy of Unintentional Consequences to be $66.48 + shipping. Ouch.

Tinpig

Uh, the relevant book in question was Unintended Consequences by John Ross, NOT Unintentional Consequences, written by Antonio F. Vianna ... Just for clarification. But yeah, if you're looking for the right book online, you'll not like the price -- used bookstores are the best option.

Returning you now to the regularly scheduled thread after a brief drift ...

 

[Baba Louie]

Good luck with that John Ross.(who understands the real world and some kinky gratuitous sex. Trump understands both methinks. Not sure but probably safe bet)

If your Grandpa was good enough for Harry Truman as a press sec'y, you just might be good enough for DJT's ATF(e) as his Gun Sec'y or Dir., depending on what direction the weather shift brings, if any (hope hope hope)

There are good people in the ATF. It's the management and directional mindest from above that sets tone, force and direction. Not to mention, budget management.
I would assume you can crunch numbers (muahahaha) and delegate? Remodel office spaces to a utility grey steel desk .gov look? Catch criminals and not be one?

Who is your competition? Going up against whom exactly?

 

[Tinpig]

OD and JR-
Thanks for the information. I searched for the right book, just mistyped the name here. As John says, it is available from Accurate Press at $30.
Tinpig

 

[barnbwt]

$30 new from the publisher, I believe. www.accuratepress.net

JR

So, first a drive-by slash click-bait post, now an advertisement for your book?

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

So, first a drive-by slash click-bait post, now an advertisement for your book?

"Lighten up Francis..."
Back in the days before you joined here we used to talk a lot with John about his book, concealed carry in Missouri, firearms instruction and large caliber SW revolvers. I even have an autographed copy of his book.

 

[Crawdad1]

We have to decrease the size of every bureaucracy in Washington not only the ATF. Just through attrition alone, someone leaves, quits or retires do not replace them, we can dig our way out of this deficit.

 

[barnbwt]

Mr. Ross, what say you on any of the policy issues that I/others in the thread have brought up? While a cult-classic book and strongly pro-gun record are nice resume items, what goals would you specifically be aiming for were you granted this appointment? I assume you aren't planning on simply following Trump's lead, which frankly, is vague at best as far as ATF regulatory policy is concerned (no people, concealed carry reciprocity and the Hearing Protection Act are hardly the ATF's business; law-bound enforcement and efficient operation are).

"Lighten up Francis..."
Back in the days before you joined here we used to talk a lot with John about his book, concealed carry in Missouri, firearms instruction and large caliber SW revolvers. I even have an autographed copy of his book.

We've a number of authors (granted, none so renowned that I know of) that post on this site, yet they do not advertise their wares without staff permission. Similarly, others with popular websites agree not to promote their own properties out of respect for THR's resources. Mr. Ross by his own admission has not posted here in some time, which is the main reason I took some minor issue with the drive-by post (though I did repost his content for our collective benefit) then subsequent link to his book publisher. I would expect any of us to be so reminded, if we did something similar. It's not like I reported him, or anything

TCB
(what happened to eye-roll smilies? That was like my primary tone of voice )

 

[barnbwt]

When I wrote UC, it was the "bad old days." Remember cat stomping, and jacking Katona's pregnant wife up against a wall and making her miscarry, and video of the ATF Director telling his agents to lie under oath?

UC was a NOVEL, and it may have done no small amount of good. Remember what DIDN'T happen at the Montana Freemen standoff over almost three months in the spring of 1996, after UC had sold out its first printing? Did you know that Obama/Holder's "Fast & Furious" scheme to subvert the Constitution was brought out into the light by ATF agents who saw the evil and wanted no part of it?

More agents than you realize would quietly support me for Director.

JR

So are we supposed to take the contents of your novel at face value, or not? Because that's a very mixed bag for most Americans either way (even if you are right about many or even the vast majority of themes in the story). Very much like the case with Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, but at least there is a large enough body of other material from that author/philosopher that we can more accurately glean what she was "all about" with Objectivism. Do you have a good/concise source of information about your advocacy and viewpoints (better than Wikipedia, anyways) from which persons like myself might learn a bit more about your experience and policy understanding as it applies to the BATFE, so we can make an informed decision whether to advocate for a so-called "radical" or not? Nothing wrong with being radical, of course, so long as it's the productive kind. Being able to understand and articulate the nature of the "gun culture" is one thing, but being able to effect meaningful change in a government regulatory/law enforcement body is quite another.

TCB

 

[armarsh]

...We've a number of authors (granted, none so renowned that I know of) that post on this site, yet they do not advertise their wares without staff permission. Similarly, others with popular websites agree not to promote their own properties out of respect for THR's resources. Mr. Ross by his own admission has not posted here in some time, which is the main reason I took some minor issue with the drive-by post (though I did repost his content for our collective benefit) then subsequent link to his book publisher. I would expect any of us to be so reminded, if we did something similar. It's not like I reported him, or anything

TCB
(what happened to eye-roll smilies? That was like my primary tone of voice )

John Ross replied to a question about his book that implied incorrect info. If I was in his place I would have done the same.

 

[John Ross]

Mr. Ross, what say you on any of the policy issues that I/others in the thread have brought up? While a cult-classic book and strongly pro-gun record are nice resume items, what goals would you specifically be aiming for were you granted this appointment?

Although I am hesitant to answer your question in any great depth before a) speaking to Mr. Trump, and b) President Stompy Feet leaves office, you raise fair points. I'll reiterate what I said in my open letter, and maybe you can infer a few things from it:

=============================

The experience and attitude I would bring to BATFE would focus on four areas, all consistent with your philosophy of “Make America Great Again”:

1. Restore an environment in which the weapons invented by America’s individual small arms designers were the best in the world, with the attendant benefit to the U.S. Military;

2. Nurture an environment of innovation in all disciplines regulated by BATFE;

3. Preserve and advance the current and historic knowledge and techniques that are slowly being lost here in America;

4. Increase legal commerce (and the attendant tax revenue) in ways consistent with your strong pro-business platform.

Many of these goals can be attained with policy shifts within the BATFE which I would initiate, and would not require Congress to pass new legislation.

================================

Reread those four points and put on your thinking cap. I'll give you something else to ponder:

The FCC, which regulates amateur radio, has done things to make it much EASIER to get a HAM radio license, such as dropping the requirement to know Morse Code. Leaving out any considerations of whether that was a good idea (possible harm to the ability of amateurs to serve as emergency communicators during times of disaster--the "code" being the "last way out" when channels were noisy due to traffic or natural or enemy interference), you cannot argue that the change didn't make licenses easier to get, and encouraged participation in Amateur Radio.

As BATFE Director I would follow a similar philosophy, and push the narrative that gunowners, gun designers, and gun sellers are a great RESOURCE for a strong America, which the BATFE should encourage. Imagine a few Public Service ads or pamphlets: "Are you a single Mom? Ashamed of applying for Public Assistance? Contact BATFE at ___________ for free information on how you can work out of your home part time, earn money to support your children, and at the same time get back the pride that comes from being a part of building a stronger, safer America."

Get the idea?

JR

 

[barnbwt]

I think no. 1 is already attained (though mostly due to the lack of development everywhere else. Czechia, Belgium, and maybe Germany for a few more years are the only comparable competition, and we're loads bigger & their primary customers )

As a hobby gun builder, I think a focus on supporting innovation vs. stomping on those who chafe at nonsense regulations would be a welcome change.

TCB

 

[salt&battery]

Trump owes the NRA. You can be sure that the NRA will influence this decision. The BATFE was created from the corrupt Alcohol Revenue Service. The Revenue Service was due for closure. LBJ crated the 1968 Gun Control fiasco. He renamed and kept the criminal ATF/BATFE to enforce his draconian 68' gun law.

the BATF should be gutted of 80% of its money or disbanded and shut down.

 

[Squire Western]

Shut down is what is needed. We got along just fine for almost 200 years without them. Gutted is good, but still not enough.

 

[salt&battery]

Shut down is what is needed. We got along for almost 200 years without them. Gutted is good, but still not enough.

but we both know they will get more money more agents and will have more laws to harass people with

 

[Ed N.]

My preference would be to turn the BATFE into simply BAT. Maybe BATM (alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana) at the most. WTH alcohol and tobacco have to do with firearms, other than being a great weekend, is puzzling at best.

Let's reduce government, and start by eliminating the firearms piece of this agency.

John, the items mentioned in your four points are all gun related. What about the other aspects of the bureau: alcohol, tobacco, explosives?

 

[Squire Western]

We have to discuss scrubbing them entirely, along with the EPA, OSHA and so many other statist agency's.

However, this is a tricky subject, even on a gunboard. Statists are everywhere, not just in D.C. and 90% of college campuses.

The statist cancer has to be worked on every day, PC and along with all other malignant infestations.

America will prevail though, no matter what.

 

[bearcreek]

While much worse than some of the ATF's problems the real issue is thinking of the BATF as an enemy when it is in fact a regulatory agency empowered by Congress and subject to the President's direction - as we have well seen demonstrated.

Wonder what people would think if there were other "regulatory agencies empowered by Congress" to regulate other rights in the Constitution and/or BOR? Suppose there was a "BRMP"? The "Bureau of Religion, Media and the Press"? Would that agency be the enemy?

 

[barnbwt]

Ed, he mentions that non-firearm business is a tiny fraction of their budget & clearly not a significant focus (and gives brief details explaining the piddly nature of these operations)

Fact is, the ATF was is and always shall be the "Dept of Stuff We Futily Try to Ban" (I'm continually surprised they weren't tasked with the DEA's domestic jobs) and its mission is inherently tainted by the logical and logistical problems that come with this kind of arbitrary policy. That said, such policy will always be demanded by some, so the best hope for all are clear, hard & fast rules for us to work within, even if it requires us both (we and the g-men) to cede some freedom/authority. The current game is tilted way too far in their favor.

 

[Squire Western]

In the next decade we just have to tilt that game back. One Statist Agency at a time to be erased.

Pessimism never wins any awards.

 

[Dog Soldier]

The BATFE is as valuable as Teats on a saddle horse. We have the FBI and legions of Federal law enforcement agents. My question is why do we have a special police force who's only mission is to curb or Constitutional Rights?
We don't have Federal Agents who are harassers of the News Media or Priest or Pastors? How can the Federal government control the 2nd Amendment? The Bill of Rights were assigned to the people. It was to protect us against their intrusion?

 

[rfwobbly]

John Lott, Ph.D. would be more likely to make the cut for ATF director, but we're more likely to see a senior LE or legal appointee that at least is friendly to the 2A....

You mean someone like Joseph M. "Joe" Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County, AZ ??!!

 

[danez71]

You mean someone like Joseph M. "Joe" Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County, AZ ??!!

He very well may be looking for a new job now.