This was deemed as being one of the "largest gun-smuggling rings in Southern AZ", with dozens of firearms purchased in AZ and transported into MX. The defendants were charged with Smuggling and False Statements made on the ATF forms when purchasing the firearms. ALL with a maximum prison sentence of 5 years. The ring leader of all of this received the maximum sentence of 5 years. How absurd! Why did federal prosecutors not charge these suspects with illegal export of firearms under 22 U.S.C. 2778 Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and 22 CFR 120-130 the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Part 121, which can carry sentences up to 20 years. Small arms as involved in this investigation are included under the ITAR. Due to the magnitude of this gun smuggling ring, these charges should have been made! Why were they not?
David Burford
Northwest side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
