  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Tuesday that it received over 80,000 comments on the proposed framework for reclassifying the “armor-piercing” ammunition known as M855. That’s quite a lot of feedback. The agency added that the “vast majority” of those comments were “critical of the framework.” To speak candidly, it seems as though gun owners and gun rights advocates basically told the ATF to shove this proposed ammo ban where the sun don’t shine. Well, the ATF listened to those remarks and announced in the Tuesday press release that it would “not at this time seek to issue a final framework,” because it needed more time to “process the comments received, further evaluate the issues raised therein, and provide additional open and transparent process” before moving forward on the matter. While those official comments have not been released just yet, they will be made “publicly available as soon as practicable,” there are plenty of comments on the agency’s Facebook page that aptly capture the tone and tenor of the collective response from the gun community. Some of the comments on the social media page are funny, some are insightful, some are controversial and some are obscene. What one might expect from Facebook. But, needless to say, they make for an interesting and, at times, entertaining read. Because there were so many I decided I’d only highlight the clever comments. Below are the best of the best, IMO. To clarify, the comments are in response to the Tuesday announcement that the ATF would not be moving forward with the ban. “Well that was a colossal waste of time and tax payer dollars. Thank you.” — Dan Bennett “‘Thank God for the ATF’ — No one ever.” — Wellington Shivelsworth “4,489 people like the ATF page…do they all work there?” — Andrew Liptak “How many agents are investors in ammunition manufacturers?” — Raymond Taber “Better luck next time, you boot-licking, wannabe tyrant knuckleheads. Get bent.” — Mike Hutchinson “Can you call your buddies over at the DEA and have them ban meth too?…oh wait.” — Andrew Amis “Dear atf. Please choke and die” — Justin O’Camb “Darn constitution, always getting in the way of power grabs.” — Jared Kinder “So really what you are saying is ‘Stop emailing us and calling us stupid.’” — Randy J Hilliker “Translation: People: 1 ATF: 0” — Ryan Clark “Has anyone noticed we don’t have a free speech agency? Or a freedom of religion agency,??” — Chris Watson “I see 80,000 people being closely watched! That’s right! Just leave a critical comment.” — Bruce Boren |