[Ron Smith]

There was a time , early 80s to late 90s, that the ATF was bordering on Gestapo tactics, some close to entrapment.

In the late 80s a local shop owner was routed out of bed at 4 am by a phone call from ATF Agents and ordered to open his shop for inspection. They literally up-ended his storeroom and office. After they had finished. They told him that they were acting on a tip from one of his customers that he was dealing drugs out of his shop.

The customer in question was a locally well know paranoid "Fringer" who was pissed off because the owner hadn't given him a bigger discount on a bulk ammo order. Fortunately he has since moved on to a "much warmer" localle. Much to the relief of his neighbors and the community.

They have since changed their tactics and methods. Most everyone that I know of, who has dealt with them recently, said they were very pleasant and at times, forgiving of minor infractions.