Gun used in Mexican beauty queen's killing had twisted past
Gun used in killed belonged to BATF agent that went through illegal routes
In a frightening example of the way a weapon can fall into the wrong hands, news details have emerged in the gun that was used to kill Mexican beauty queen Marisa Susana Gamez. The model was allegedly fighting in a gun battle alongside a Mexican drug cartel when she was shot and killed November 23. It appears that the high-powered handgun belonged to belonged to a former assistant special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms - and that it was obtained illegally.
Mexican beauty queen Marisa Susana Gamez was allegedly fighting in a gun battle alongside a Mexican drug cartel when she was shot and killed November 23.
An investigation has proved that the gun was purchased in January of 2010 by George Gillett, the former No. 2 in the ATF office in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gillett bought the weapon at Legendary Arms, a Phoenix gun store. On the federal form 4473 used to buy the gun, Gillett used the ATF office address, 201 East Washington, and said "Apt 940." On subsequent purchase, Gillett used a commercial address -- that of a strip mall.
Both purchases were illegal, since ATF regulations require buyers use their residential address. Gillett now works at ATF headquarters in Washington as a liaison to the federal Bureau of Prisons.
"Lying on form 4473 is a felony and can be punished by up to five years in prison in addition to fines," Senator Charles Grassley said in a letter to Michael Horowitz in the Office of Inspector General. "I request that you initiate an investigation into these matters and that you specifically examine whether Mr. Gillett was the purchaser as indicated by these documents, why the forms list multiple, inaccurate residential addresses while purchasing the weapons, and how the weapon purchased on January 7, 2010 ended up in Mexico."
Gillett's gun was found in Sinaloa after the gun battle. Investigators found a weapon similar to an AK-47 and some 50 bullets next to her body. Another weapon found at the crime scene was traced to a Uriel Patino, who illegally bought more than 600 guns and is a main suspect in the controversial Operation Fast and Furious run out of the Phoenix office of the ATF.
Gillett has declined all interviews, although he later admitted to later selling the gun on the Internet.
© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacoo and Firearms, handgun, Fast and Furious, Marisa Susana Gamez
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