Rob R.
Active Member
Visit by Homeland Security yesterday for... a SCOPE purchase!?
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?
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?