Visit by Homeland Security yesterday for... a scope purchase?

[omegared24]

On duty LEO's are not coming into my house without a warrant. Unlike vampires, once you invite them in, you cannot rescind your offer and tell them to leave.
I had a very bad experience with this after an angry (busted cheater) ex girlfriend called BPD with lies- knowing I was a "multiple" gun owner. I'm not going to go into full details again, but it involved a tactical team knocking on my door, forcing their way inside and my all firearms being taken into "safe keeping". I was never charged with a crime, let alone convicted. It took me 2+ years and a LOT of ******** to get my firearms back. Dig through the MDS archives if you want the full story. I will not type it out again.

I reiterate On duty LEO's are not coming into my house without a warrant. If there is a next time, I will take my chances and risk getting shot. Never again.

In your situation it didn't matter if you let them in or not. They came in and did what they were going to do. You're going to have a shoot out with a tactical team? Really?

This is nothing like the OP's story.

 

[Rob R.]

Just watched this
https://youtu.be/ucRWyGKBVzo

This is it I’m burning my all my apple products, PC’s etc buying cash and carry only lol

 

[hit3961]

You should be way more afraid of your own ignorance than DHS taking your rights.

'

 

[StantonCree]

It is/was.

But it now sounds like you CAN open an outer door and have it not be an invitation to enter.

Thanks.

Warrant, exigency, or invitation.

 

[magwell]

This situation is very disturbing and shows how far reaching surveillance and data collection is.

 

[Not_an_outlaw]

Just watched this
https://youtu.be/ucRWyGKBVzo

This is it I’m burning my all my apple products, PC’s etc buying cash and carry only lol

Thanks. Now I'm in another database!

 

[John from MD]

The Coast Guard comes under DOD and is one of our armed forces. They used to be under DOT before 9/11 but that all changed. All the services have members which have police powers. The Coast Guard just has more of them due to its unique mission.

I think I got this right, but if I didn't, the resident Coasties will be out for my *ss.

 

[hit3961]

Yesterday I got a visit by 2 homeland security officers for a rifle scope I won on eBay several weeks ago.. Asked if they could come in and talk for a few and I welcomed them on in where we could talk over my dinner table.
As for the eBay purchase, the seller provided a tracking number a day or two after auction, but then nothing.. zero movement for maybe 2 weeks?
I was away on vacation and it wasn’t on my mind at all as I bought several random items that still had not been delivered (camera equipment etc) messaged the seller who said they have no idea what’s going on with the scope and would look into it ASAP.
Well I never heard back but maybe a day or two later it finally showed tracking out of Illinois.
Figured just holiday related congestion or package was lost temporarily ?
Never thought all that much into it and could do a Paypal dispute if necessary.

It’s maybe the 4th scope or so I bought the past year, also bought 2 red dot’s as I bought around a dozen firearms in 2017. Mostly .22 Rifles and 9mm handguns, and a lower..building an AR pistol over the next several weeks

Anyways, I was told the visit was for a rash of online buyers now purchasing several optics (scopes, red dots and thermal/infrared) and other items then shipping/transferring them to warehouses that would eventually funnel out to countries where they are illegal (ITAR?) mainly those countries connected with terrorist activities like turkey, Middle East etc. Apparently a lot of people are making a quick buck doing this as of recent.. They just asked who I purchased from, showed them the sellers eBay name etc. Even screen shot and emailed it to the one agent.
Was just told to be on alert essentially, selling such items to any shady/questionable people as it’s been a recent concern for them particularly to areas in Portland, Delaware or even NY where they are being sent out of the country. I can’t keep up with the latest criminal trends are so I’ll just take their word for it.

Both agents were very friendly and pleasure to talk to, conversation lasted maybe 20mins?? After explaining that I had zero intentions nor knowledge of that scheme. Just gave them a general run down of what my purpose and use are for them.. After that I could sense a good deal of relief by both agents that maybe this was all a waste of their time?
After that quick discussion, was just a friendly conversation mentioned my general gripes about what I’ve been thru the past year with silly Maryland laws (handgun roster, magazine pinning/10rd limit, out of state FFL’s avoiding Marylanders, wait times, etc) they shared their own stories/annoyances even though they are LEO’s, having several issues themselves and being annoyed with state laws that are confusing and rather annoying whenever they would buy a new firearms. Just general talk, after the initial 5-10mins of finding out details on the scope purchase, before leaving left their business cards and said if I have any questions/concerns at all feel free call/email them anytime with questions. One agent even emailed me later that day again thanking me for taking the time once again.

Anyone else ever have a situation like this from either Homeland Security, ATF, or MSP ?
Could I have been flagged because of multiple firearms optics etc purchased at a higher rate than many in 2017? I completely got out of firearms with many other life priorities for a very long time as my business and motorsports always took the lions share of my interest over the past dozen plus years.

Either way didn’t really alarm me at all, I have absolutely nothing to hide. I just thought it seemed rather strange to send two agents all the way out here for a scope purchased online from a random seller that maybe USPS scanned and then flagged ? Maybe my name is super common and tied to someone else of interest?
Just didn’t quite add up but it’s a unique time right now and see no real issue with our gov’t being very cautious in this current climate

Thoughts?[/?

 

[Squaregrouper]

On duty LEO's are not coming into my house without a warrant. Unlike vampires, once you invite them in, you cannot rescind your offer and tell them to leave.
I had a very bad experience with this after an angry (busted cheater) ex girlfriend called BPD with lies- knowing I was a "multiple" gun owner. I'm not going to go into full details again, but it involved a tactical team knocking on my door, forcing their way inside and my all firearms being taken into "safe keeping". I was never charged with a crime, let alone convicted. It took me 2+ years and a LOT of ******** to get my firearms back. Dig through the MDS archives if you want the full story. I will not type it out again.

I reiterate On duty LEO's are not coming into my house without a warrant. If there is a next time, I will take my chances and risk getting shot. Never again.

SCARY stuff, is it still viewable to read???

Yes, but it is up to you to dig deep for the detailed story.

In your situation it didn't matter if you let them in or not. They came in and did what they were going to do. You're going to have a shoot out with a tactical team? Really?

This is nothing like the OP's story.

It is nothing like the OP's story, because my experience turned out much worse. BPD entered my home illegally and took ~$7,000 in legally owned property for no reason. Did you miss the part about I was never charged with a crime?
There is an ongoing thread about "What is your breaking point..." This is my breaking point. I will not have my rights blatantly violated again without resistance.
Cop #1 asked if he could come in and talk. Under duress, I agreed. Within seconds 10+ BPD in tactical gear were inside my apartment- tearing it apart.
Never again.
.

 

[Squaregrouper]

To the BPD employees who question my story- I spent a LOT of time "working" with Van Deemes in Evidence Control.
For every requirement submitted, they requested another. BPD would not give an actual list of what what was required to have my legally owned firearms returned- rather submit this and we will then request that. Rinse and repeat for >2 years.

 

[hit3961]

To the BPD employees who question my story- I spent a LOT of time "working" with Van Deemes in Evidence Control.
For every requirement submitted, they requested another. BPD would not give an actual list of what what was required to have my legally owned firearms returned- rather submit this and we will then request that. Rinse and repeat for >2 years.

"

 

[Squaregrouper]

Charged with a crime and being part of criminal activity is a fine line police just don't show up with out a reasons?

All it takes is a phone call. Think "Swatting" c. 2006. If a jaded ex calls the cops and says you are going to hurt yourself and others and you own guns...
The problem in my situation was, once they had my firearms, they had no intention of ever giving them back- even after it was confirmed there wasn't a problem or criminal wrongdoing.

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

To the BPD employees who question my story- I spent a LOT of time "working" with Van Deemes in Evidence Control.
For every requirement submitted, they requested another. BPD would not give an actual list of what what was required to have my legally owned firearms returned- rather submit this and we will then request that. Rinse and repeat for >2 years.

Face it man....you've just got that kind of ....well, face.












Sorry, Big K, couldn't resist.

 

[hit3961]

All it takes is a phone call. Think "Swatting" c. 2006. If a jaded ex calls the cops and says you are going to hurt yourself and others and you own guns...
The problem in my situation was, once they had my firearms, they had no intention of ever giving them back- even after it was confirmed there wasn't a problem or criminal wrongdoing.

How was your safe opened with out a warrent!

 

[eurocarnut]

Not a chance in hell I would have let them in my home without a warrant and I work for the IC.

 

[rbird7282]

You should be way more afraid of your own ignorance than DHS taking your rights.

Lol,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hit3961]

Lol,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

,

 

[omegared24]

Yes, but it is up to you to dig deep for the detailed story.



It is nothing like the OP's story, because my experience turned out much worse. BPD entered my home illegally and took ~$7,000 in legally owned property for no reason. Did you miss the part about I was never charged with a crime?
There is an ongoing thread about "What is your breaking point..." This is my breaking point. I will not have my rights blatantly violated again without resistance.
Cop #1 asked if he could come in and talk. Under duress, I agreed. Within seconds 10+ BPD in tactical gear were inside my apartment- tearing it apart.
Never again.
.

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm saying that regardless of your response they would have come in. They did what they planned on doing.

Never again means that you're going to fight them to the end...literally. I don't want to read that squaregrouper got shot up by law enforcement because he didn't want to go through the legal system. Were they wrong? Certainly. Is it a garbage system? Yup.

Last stands are a last resort.

 

[Squaregrouper]

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm saying that regardless of your response they would have come in. They did what they planned on doing.

Never again means that you're going to fight them to the end...literally. I don't want to read that squaregrouper got shot up by law enforcement because he didn't want to go through the legal system. Were they wrong? Certainly. Is it a garbage system? Yup.

Last stands are a last resort.

I should have been more clear with my "Never Again" comment. Never again will I allow on duty LEO's into my house without a warrant. They will have to force their way inside.
I knew what was going on and decided that for self preservation, it would be prudent to allow officer "A" inside my apartment. The rest of the alphabet followed him in and trashed my apartment.
IF there is a next time, they will have to provide a warrant (full cooperation) or bust the door down.

 

[hit3961]

I should have been more clear with my "Never Again" comment. Never again will I allow on duty LEO's into my house without a warrant. They will have to force their way inside.
I knew what was going on and decided that for self preservation, it would be prudent to allow officer "A" inside my apartment. The rest of the alphabet followed him in and trashed my apartment.
IF there is a next time, they will have to provide a warrant (full cooperation) or bust the door down.

Did you file a suit for property damages?