U.S. Firearms expert examines crime lawBy nilay gandhi
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau Director Carl Truscott said his department is a major reason behind the all-time lows in the nation's crime rate, a factor he attributes in part to successful relationship-building.
Truscott, who spoke Wednesday to Penn's Criminology students, joined the ATF Bureau last year after earning numerous awards in 22 years of employment with the U.S. Secret Service.
"The mission of the ATF is to prevent terrorism, reduce violent crime and protect the public," he said.
Truscott firmly believes that the organization has played a crucial role in firearm regulation, which he said has put gun violence and homicide rates at a 30-year low.
The ATF has been working in New Orleans to recover guns that were looted from gun stores in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Truscott further reflected on the requirements of working in law enforcement.
"Leadership is critical. I think the executive staff and agents lead by example, and I'm proud to know them all on a first-name basis," Truscott said. "Building and developing and sustaining relationships is important for any occupation, especially law enforcement."
He also had advice for the students, most of whom were graduate students pursuing a career in criminology.
"Try to serve time [on Capitol Hill] at some capacity. It's something you'll enjoy," he said. "There are lots of things on Capitol Hill that are unique. ... You really have to get up there and experience it firsthand."
He was speaking from personal experience, having interned at the ATF for eight weeks, an experience that inspired his passion for law enforcement.
Truscott also stressed the importance of trying new things.
"Think about moving around within your profession," Truscott said. "The reality is that there are other opportunities out there. If you have a passion for what you do, you'll be successful -- you're doing what comes naturally."
Students who attended the speech found it very informative.
"It provided insight into how law enforcement works," said Steve Salotti, a Criminology graduate student.
Many of the students who attended were enrolled in a course called "Criminology in Practice," taught by Laurie Robinson, a former U.S. Assistant Attorney General who now heads Penn's Master's in Criminology program.
"The point is to get us acclimated to criminology in the real world," Criminology graduate student Lori Sexton said.
http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/26/433799ed49ec1*FW Note:The BATFE is the agency of the Executive branch that is directly responsible for enforcing government mandated infringements on your 2nd Amendment rights.
Here, their leader takes the opportunity to infect young and impressionable students, who study the many and varied aspects of law-enforcement, with his particular strain of a disease called tyranny.
"It provided insight into how law enforcement works,..."
Here's a handy little link to to provide a little more "insight" into BATFE's brand of law enforcement:
http://www.public-action.com/SkyWriter/WacoMuseum/death/map/d_list00.htmlLook it over. Aren't you
proud that these men serve your government?
:evil:
