What’s the real reason the AFT is asking about race?
One thing the Obama Administration is good at – and we all know there aren’t too many of those types of things – is quietly slipping wording into rules and regulations that they hope no one will notice. And the reason I say they’re good at it is because these sneaky additions often don’t get discovered for two or three years.
One example is Form 4473, which asks an over-the-counter gun buyer to declare whether he or she is a Hispanic or a non-Hispanic. That question is followed by another question that goes deeper into information that is based on race. This addition to the wording in Form 4473 was made in 2012 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), but didn’t receive any publicity until 2014.
Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri asked the ATF director why the information was being collected and whether it’s ever been used to keep someone from buying a firearm. In the past, the government has answered these types of questions by saying the information is crucial for enforcing civil rights laws. Now they’re saying this question was designed for the purpose of identification in connection with required background checks.
Another Congressperson, Representative Diane Black of Tennessee, introduced a bill that would keep the ATF from collecting this data. She also said that some of the questions on the form regarding race are confusing to buyers.
So, is the government trying to find out whether a particular gun buyer is Hispanic, or are they really trying to find out if the gun buyer is white or black? And because applications for guns can be thrown out due to an error on the form, are they purposely keeping some of the race questions confusing?
No matter what the answers are, we know that the real goal is to keep guns out of the hands of law-abiding American citizens. This is just one of the many ways they’re trying to do that while hoping nobody is the wiser.
I live in an city with a large Latino population, and my children are of Hispanic origin, although I am not. The question is not meant to cause confusion at all. The change is because they decided that Hispanic is no longer a race, but is an ethnicity because there are “white” and “black” Hispanics. So now they are required to check white or black for race, then Hispanic for ethnicity. I think it’s another way to push the division between white and black. Doesn’t help my kids though because I am a black American and my ex-husband would be considered “white of Hispanic origin.” I never brought up race to my kids until they got to middle school and had to fill out demographic information for themselves. Then I told them what they should mark. They’re grown now, but it was funny when they were growing up. When they were with me, they were called “black”, but when they were away from me and people knew nothing about me, they were called “white.” It’s nothing more than another social contruct meant to divide.
sometimes I feel Black. Other times I feel white. Sometimes I feel Mexican. At times I feel Italian. Other times I feel Asian. Most of the time I feel I’m Filipino. I think at times I feel like a woman, hey if Bruce Jenner can do it, why not me? Other times a just feel like a Jack Ass. You see. In this modern Day and age. You can be anything you want to be and be Okay. If someone asks you a stupid question then you can answer with another stupid answer. That is freedom of speech. If we still have that????
Another attempt to subvert the Constitution — the treasonous bastards.
I AM AN AMERICAN WHO SERVED IN THE USARMY DURING THE VIET NAM ERA AND AT THE TIME THEY DIDN`T ASK, WHY WOULD IT MATTER NOW?. I AM COLORLESS, I AM AN AMERICAN.
Perhaps the question as to being Hispanic or Non-Hispanic might lead to further scrutiny as to whether the question of U.S. Citizenship or being in the U.S. legally was answered correctly. Remember, when you sign this form you acknowledge the penalties involved for false answers – adding to a ‘slam-dunk’ conviction should a crime be committed later on using this of any other firearm.
I’m adopted. No idea what race I am but I look whitish. I’ve never identified with race. I’m just a person. What a stupid question.
I have seen these kind of questions starting to pop up on forms, even as simple as a 4-H enrollment form. We just pencil in “N/A”. If we’re citizens of the US, it doesn’t matter what my skin color or ethnicity is. I’m an American! America, bless God!
In a way, I can see about the Hispanic thing, because Obama want to let Illegals to vote, witch is Illegal. And it might lead to Illegals being able to buy guns, or try. And it also can just be the start, on all races. The only ones that needs to be watched, in muslims! They can not be trusted at all!
Cliff; Your opening statement was a joke of some sort correct? Everybody isn’t connected as you state in your opening argument. I do believe that some of your conclusions do have some merit however…………….
If my ancestry can only be traced back to the USA, Then does that mean I’m “Native American”?
S Smith, much as you have discribed my family can only be traced to a point in the Appellation Mountains. (Yeah, I know) I may have to begin to declair myself as a native american. Why not, I mean we have a “citizen” born in the Pacific Isles (IDK) in the White House that seems to take great privilige in creating his own birth documents.
“REUBEN”- :- everyone should have the experience of living with that first name like I do. Often I am asked questions like — Are you Hispanic?- or- Are you Jewish? my favorite is — Are you a citizen? My Great-grandpa came to the USA from England in 1840. When are we as citizens ever going to learn tolerance and love for our fellow man? I hope it is SOON!!! GOD BLESS THE USA!!!
HI, Reuben. I think you are over-reacting. A question does not necessarily mean lack of tolerance, and it should not be considered so by you unless it touches on something you are ashamed of or that you have reasonable cause to believe will be used against you. I exist in a mixed black and white society where questions are often asked about people’s ancestry. It has to do with curiosity, and nothing to do with acceptance or tolerance or lack thereof.
ATF still building data base of who has guns. Gov wants to take all guns and do away with (rewrite) constitution. Congress is hiding things in bills being past, just like it has done for many years. These things are slowly doing away with our rights. Call or write your Congress person tell them to
” Defend ” Constitution, Do not allow it to be changed.
If you can’t ask these questions to rent an apartment to someone, then you don’t need them on a form.
I like your comment, and believe it to be rightous.
I have been answering these type of race questions on ATF gun purchase forms for several years now, it is nothing new and regardless of their motives I don’t understand what the big deal is now? I as well as most everyone else have been answering these types of questions on just about every form or application, etc. I have filled out over the last 50 years or so why the sudden concern now?
I was just thinking that since the so-called LGBT community recently added the “Q” category, and since I cannot be discriminated against for my race, religion, or gender, then when asked about my ethnicity, I will put “questioning” on the ATF form, since I am not sure day to day what race I want to choose. That should be OK for our Government! Right?
Phil that is just to funny I like it.
Great comment Phil. I wonder how many of us have multi-ethnic backgrounds? Speaking for myself — I am English, French, Bavarian, Native American, Scots-Irish, and more. BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM AN AMERICAN!!! Thanks to all those who have gone before. Again — GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
The ATF asks these questions because they know that every Hispanic has connections to the Mexican Mafia, every black person has ties to either the Crypts or Bloods gangs, every Caucasian is a redneck hillbilly, and every Asian doesn’t own a gun.
The reason why the ATF has asked these questions is to see what ethnic background is arming themselves. They are afraid that if too many ethnic race has access to guns and are in a concentrated area, like Los Angles, New York, or Detroit and Atlanta then when it comes time to confiscate these weapons the ATF, Home Land Security and local law enforcement will have a battle on their hands.
Just recently, intelligence came across my desk whereby these agencies were training for just such a response. They were on a FEMA deserted camp site pretending they were taking people into custody and processing them into the camp. BEWARE, the SHTF is closer than you may realize. You should have seen the up to date equipment they were using. I wish we had this stuff when i was in the Army. Remember, the Nazi’s went after one group of “Undesirables” after another until there was no one left to render aid and support. I think we are about to re-learn this lesson again. Find a support group, keep you actions and personnel history to yourself, and keep a look out for the signs of takeover by our government, and fight them every step of the way. Otherwise, there is always room for one more at the FEMA camps.