U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Master gunsmith James Morrison founded JM Gun Repair 46 years ago, after doing gun repairs in his garage. The gun shop has been a local institution ever since, offering firearms, black powder and reloading gear, ammunition including hard-to-find calibers, and James’ incredible skills as a master gunsmith with 50 years of experience. The business is ideally located, straddling the county line between Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida.
“This has been a family legacy for 46 years,” said James’ grandson, Noah Morrison. His father and uncle work at the shop too.
Noah, who just turned 21, dreamed of becoming the third generation of Morrisons to operate this family business. However, his dreams were dashed when George Hancock, an ATF Industry Operations Investigator, known as an IOI, walked into the shop at around the same time Joe Biden announced his war on “rogue” gun dealers.
“During the audit, he found faults in our paperwork,” Noah said. “In the past, for these types of minor faults, an auditor would have just handed us a pen and told us to fix them.”
Noah’s father, Benwayne Morrison, agrees.
“These were clerical errors, but they changed the definition,” he said. “Under their new definition, they said our violations were willful. After 46 years, we never gave a gun to someone who shouldn’t have it, but that didn’t matter. None of the violations were on Biden’s ‘rogue’ gun dealer list.”
Rogue Defined
Biden first announced his zero-tolerance policy in June 2021. Part of his scheme included five criteria, which he claimed defined a rogue dealer:
- transferring a firearm to a prohibited person
- failing to run a required background check
- falsifying records, such as a firearms transaction form
- failing to respond to an ATF tracing request
- refusing to permit ATF to conduct an inspection in violation of the law
However, the ATF is revoking licenses for the most minor of errors – errors not on Biden’s five-point list.
As a result, a special report we published in May revealed that FFL revocations increased a staggering 500 percent.
No Due Process
Effective Aug. 23, JM Gun Repair can no longer transfer or sell firearms. The family intends to keep the shop open, selling ammunition, reloading and black powder supplies, gear, and other accessories, but not guns or even gunsmithing services. They posted a note on their website announcing the changes.
“Our family legacy is gone,” Benwayne said. “My father started this business. A master gunsmith is a rare breed. He can tell you the details about a gun made 100 years ago. He’s still sharp as a tack. Our family was screwed over by the ATF.”
The worst part for him and his family is that there was no way to appeal the ATF’s order.
There was no due process.
Benwayne contacted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office but was told since it was a federal matter, he should contact Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. Benwayne never received a response from Scott’s office. One of Rubio’s assistants told him to send more information, but he has not heard back.
Illegal Registry
Both Benwayne and Noah believe there is another unspoken reason why the ATF is revoking hundreds of FFLs. Anytime a gun shop closes or is ordered out of business, they must mail years of records to the ATF.
“They’re building a gun registry, and that’s illegal,” Benwayne said. “If you want to build a registry, the easiest way to do it is to have gun dealers supply their records. That’s the quickest way for them to find out who has what kind of guns. If they shut down a 46-year-old store that’s had thousands of sales, all of a sudden, they’ve got a lot of records.”
Neither Jason Medina, public information officer for ATF’s Tampa Field Division, nor Aaron Gerber, the Division’s Director of Industry Operations, returned calls seeking comment for this story.
Takeaways
It’s clear that the Biden-Harris administration believes if they eliminate all the gun dealers, they will eliminate all the guns. But since there is only a handful of real rogues out of the 50,000 licensed gun dealers doing business in the country, the administration had to devise another tactic. As a result, they came up with the “willful” scheme.
Now, even the most insignificant clerical error is a willful violation, which means the dealer is a rogue, and their license is quickly revoked. The ATF was happy to play along since they’ve always been more than willing to bend over for the White House, regardless of the constitutionality of the request.
The two hallmarks of the Morrison family business have always been safety and family. Benwayne used to train Boy Scouts. His father taught Hunter Safety classes. They educate every first-time gun buyer before they leave the shop.
“My parents could have retired years ago, but they wanted to keep the business going for their children and their grandchildren,” Benwayne said. “It’s frustrating to me that now my son Noah is old enough to be part of the family business, but he can’t. We’ve always been a law-abiding shop. We’ve done our best for nearly a half-century to educate the public and keep the public safe. So, if they can do this to us, they can do this to anybody.”
This story is presented by the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project and wouldn’t be possible without you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support more pro-gun stories like this.
About Lee Williams
Lee Williams, who is also known as “The Gun Writer,” is the chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project. Until recently, he was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming an editor, Lee was an investigative reporter at newspapers in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. He’s earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter, and three medals of valor as a cop. Lee is an avid tactical shooter.
Those who’ve had their FFLs revoked because of this policy for minor paperwork errors could band together as a class action lawsuit and challenge the definition of willful. I don’t think the policy would be able to stand if they did so.
There was a FFL in the next town over that forgot to cross a t and the atf had him shut down the next day all over a super minor mark
BATFE is delivering the Biden regime’s message.
RINO CONGRESSMEN are useless unless they can get money or fame by their action. The Communist Biden Regime and its Deep State Enablers are on a mission to turn the US into an American type of Soviet Union. They wont be stopped by elections and play to get along RINOS. Its going to take great sacrifice by many Americans to save this Republic and their is no guarantee they will defeat the communists. But to surrender to Communism is to give away your soul and liberties.
None of that is going to happen. We’re done for. It’s over with.
NOT YET I’M NOT DEAD AND REFUSE TO GIVE UP, FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last year a story was widely circulated about the Miami Police Department audit showing 25 missing AR-15 rifles, which is blamed on paperwork. I think audits of other state/local/federal government would show similar. Seems only fitting if you have a “zero policy” on errors it should not just be private sector but extend to those we taxpayers fund as well.
Well I think the answer to all this is to get rid of the problem. Biden and the administration now in office and the FBI. These people are monsters and want to do away with our Constitution. We need to do away with them. The whole country is turning on these Turds and we all need to VOTE them OUT of office and never let any of them back in AND that includes an awful lot of Republicans as well. Be well aware of who you vote for good People, Talk to them personally. If they won’t talk to you… Read more »
These career politicians and Biden have forgotten that they are not in positions of power, they are in positions of responsibility, responsibility to the American people.
So, if the IRS gets 87K new hires (who must be required to carry a firearm and be willing to use deadly force), and 750K rounds of ammunition courtesy of the demorats “Inflation Reduction BS”; then imagine what these ATF goons are going to be like! To all the clueless morons who facilitated this regime into power, I can only wish them free, rapid transportation to, and priority seating in HELL!
Yes, and if the BATFE could not get anything on you, then BATFE could hand the file to the IRS, and you could look forward to a life time of audits.
With 87,000 new agents comes 87,000 new sidearms with 3 standard capacity magazines each, plus one round in the pipe. That comes out to 4,524,000 rounds of hollow point ammo, just for the duty ammo. (assuming 17 round mags) Now add in the ammo that they will use yearly to practice and qualify with. This is just for the new hires. I’m willing to bet that their mags won’t be restricted to 10 rounds either. The United States total includes 3,006 counties; 14 boroughs and 11 census areas in Alaska; the District of Columbia; 64 parishes in Louisiana; Baltimore city,… Read more »
Sorry SOB Biden and the ATF needs to defeated at the polls this November. If it was not a sin to hate someone, BIDEN would be first on my list. ATF tried to set me up by sending me an illegal pistol through an intercepted package from the NRA that was a membership renewal What they failed to look at was my son was a Federal Marshal and I reported it to him the day I received the package with the gun in it and told my son that I was making an official notice to him because it was… Read more »
By any means necessary. That is the credo of the Progressive New Left. They will try to crush people like you and me under a mountain of indecipherable regulations and criminalize any behavior not to their liking. Yours is one of many examples happening every day. Illegal searches. Planting evidence. Jockeying election laws. It is all in the progressive new left playbook. Expect the very worst out of these people and you will not be surprised.
If a president had a mind to, he could fire every GS14 and 15 because they are only entitled to two weeks notice.
Not replacing them would be cutting the head off of the snake.
From your mouth to Gods ears.
well, the left has been changing the definition of words lately and i guess this is just a re-definition of the word willfully, “with the intention of causing harm; deliberately”, that is the definition as opposed to clerical errors. how many of these clerical errors allowed a firearm to go to an unapproved buyer? how these government agents can go along with this regimes disrespect of the rule of law with this and recently with the raid at trumps home is unconscionable. following orders is not an excuse, you have no moral character or at least bad moral character s… Read more »
Your first sentence describes TYRANNY to a “T”! The AFT(biden) has gone WAYYYYY past their UNLAWFUL bureaucracy authorization. Time to take the ‘atf’ to court to ELIMINATE this UNLAWFULLY formed bureaucracy by a “director in the IRS” WITHOUT the formation being authorized by CONGRESS.
Remember that the SATAN WORSHIPPING DEMONCRATS are all for TYRANNICAL leaders.
We never hear about the alcohol or tobacco parts of this tax collecting agency, and seldom about the explosives division. Does this tax collecting agency do any other thing besides harassing firearm dealers?
Nope
CRICKETTS
I’m thinking that the Biden Regime is sending a message that they can destroy anybody. The Biden handlers are sending this message through the BATFE, IRS, and Fat Boy Institute.
Amen. Wolverines!
Ditto!
I’m back, trouble with getting my password set up, fixed now. All of these alphabet agencies need to be cleaned out, what should be done to all of this so called government agencies should be brought to the Supreme Court and delt with like they did to the EPA for stepping over their bounds of total control, Castrate them as was done to the EPA, of course Biden should be first in line!!!
Welcome back. We were worried about you! Yes, the bureaucracies are threatening to take over the other three constitutional branches of government.
Hey Bill long time no see
Had to change my name to get back in as well
This whole admin needs to be put in prison for all the treason they have committed.
Welcome back, as well. I always enjoyed your in put. And in the coming dark times input from ever part of the country will be important.
It won’t be long before they shut down the pro-arms websites, because every one person has got to be an insurrectionist, right?
Not good with computers or tablets that I just got so still learning and Brian finally got it straightened ou for me this morning and I thanked him for that as this is the only sight I feel like it’s worth reading and answering on!!!!!
By any means necessary. That has been the credo of the Progressive New Left for nearly fifty years. By any means necessary they will achieve and maintain not just power but hegemony. By any means necessary they will suppress opposition. We are not dealing with ‘liberals’ here but dedicated Cultural Marxists. On issues ranging from vote security to personal security these subversives intend to neuter your rights and eliminate your voice and your means of self defense. This is an existential war. One side emerges victorious, one side does not emerge. Those are the stakes. So keep that in mind… Read more »
Well we are dealing with SATAN in these matters and all those that are in his party follow everything he says.
Welcome to the
SATAN WORSHIPPING DEMONCRAT PARTY you will follow everything that satan tells you.
The first thing that happens when you join the party of demons is they take away your self control so the party controls you.
Yeah the demon party only has one thing in mind for the people (you will do what we say when we say and how we say) the demon party is all about controlling the people.
I would sue these POS at the ATF. All the way to the Supreme Court – F these commie pricks
That’s a great idea, ONLY IF you have the money to do it!
I see a second civil war in the future but instead of slavery this time it will be over the democrat run government failure to follow the constitution. I see brothers killing brothers, national guard enforcing government unconstitutional orders.
Oh, it will be over slavery, alright.
It will be because we the people have been enslaved by the government the elected are now working towards a one world government.
Democrats are working overtime to become the one governing power here in the United States.
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
From the rooftops
Un Agenda 2030 you would not believe how many Americans do not know there future.
https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
I have though the same for well over 10 years and have prayed hard I was wrong- it’s becoming very apparent, I am not.
Instead of cursing the ATF in these comments, I’d like to suggest a ‘possible peaceful option’ for this family. I’m hoping some member of their family will read and consider this. Years ago I read about Sheriff Richard Mack. He was an elected Sheriff in Graham County Az. In the 90’s Congress had passed the Brady Act and certain provisions of it were clearly unconstitutional. Sheriff Mack refused to enforce it and took it all the way to SCOTUS which agreed with him. Stick with me here it’s relevant. Mack wrote a short book about his experience and how it… Read more »
I tried to buy it used. $71.00 for a used copy!
I just checked Amazon. They are charging $50 for this paperback. Amazon obviously does not want people to read this book.
Thank you for your suggestion. I will have to look into this. As with everything else we are looking into, it is going to take time. Thank you again, Ben
Once again we see the federal JBTs going after easy “crimes”, because catching real criminals is hard work.
How many paperwork errors could be found in AFT offices, I wonder?
I would bet at least every suspension or revocation has at least a dozen errors. F the Alphabet organizations. They are just rouge FJB government at this point
I find fault with the federal government daily as for Biden he is the worst president in this country’s history at least Carter was conherant Biden is a vegetable. The ATF needs to be shut down as it overreach will be challenged by lawyers. It is shame that family run business is now under attack. The ATF should have pointed out errors and asked the owner to correct them. The democrats give the 13% woke free without question if you are not a illegal gay gender challenged or black or chinese you are screwed. The democrats gestapo is on the… Read more »
Yes, and the Fat Boy Institute, too. If the FBI is not eliminated, then they will be picking the POTUS, for all future time.
Obama & Biden The Deep State rough rough road a ahead The American people have little understanding of what is about to happen
I have been telling people about the first UN Agenda 21 then 21 -2030 Now the revised UN Agenda 2030
Most people have no idea of what is at stake. If you ask someone if they have ever read this Agenda 95% of the time it is a NO.
When they are fighting over food and water and even their freedom do say I they have not been warned.
Do you have any suggestions about canned meats? We have tuna, chicken, spam, salmon, and sardines, but there must be other canned meats.
Well now you know why I have been calling these thugs
SATAN WORSHIPPING DEMONCRATS
There is not one person alive in that demon party that does not worship Satan in one way or another.
Bohemian Grove
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UK5WnYPqvg
The elites playground worshiping a giant owl nothing new it has been going on there along the Russian river in California for decades. Most American have never heard of it or read about it.
Biden is horrible.
People frequently indicate the current president of the opposite party is the “worst” of all time.
Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson were all worse than Biden (so far). They laid the foundation for socialism in America.
Biden still has a shot at being the worst though.
Every FFL needs at least one other person with a FFL, as a backup.
Sounds good to me! Maybe we could trade the NRA for them.
The whole purpose is to get rid of the garbage not to keep swapping it around
What I meant was, to get rid of BATF/FBI, et. al. in exchange for getting rid of the NRA!
Win-win! Throw in NSSF, which calls ATF “our federal partners”, and it’s a win-win-win.
Ill go that way one up no atf jail a bunch of the trash
The ATF shuttered the brick & mortar business shop / address.
Yes they can.
Or bring another ffl in.
They could become the second location for another established lgs.
I know this probably makes me sound naive, but I am continually amazed that there are Americans willing to do the biding of these communist in power. Instead of American, I should say Amerikans, because these aren’t the Americans I’ve grownup around. It’s a sorry state of affairs that can only end up one of two ways. Either we all capitulate to the communist, or we take Thomas Jefferson at his word, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants”.
Idaho Bob, I agree wholeheartedly.
When and where Bob? When and where….
they need to have a fire in records storage room
Yes, “One day there was a fire.” John Saxon from the movie “Joe Kidd”. Best scene in the whole movie.
Any FFL who doesn’t have a record of continuing violations of the FFL rules should only receive a warning, next violation probation, third a monetary fine and lastly if the trend has continued, suspension of license.
Simple bookkeeping mistakes happen everywhere, ask a CPA,.
The ATF has gotten too big and needs to be taken down, treating store owners like criminals is anti-American.
BATFE compels compliance with an unconstitutional act of Congress.
The purest form of irony.
The ATF and FFL system need to be completely repealed and abolished.
I believe that Biden’s administration is run by people who hate America. And when they come for our guns we will fight back. Hard. Civil war has happened in the past, and very well may happen in the future
Remember- don’t waste ammo on the pawns.
“they?” Who do you think will be coming for our guns? Do you think there is a chance it may be the same people as in the past (state, county, and city/town law enforcement employees)? Do you think there is a reason those law enforcement employees have lobbied to water down SAPA legislation in many locations? If those state, county, and city/town law enforcement employees are the ones who come for the guns, do you think there is some probability there will not be a “civil war” and that there might just be a series of enforcement actions against a… Read more »
The Biden administration in reality it is the “deep state” as Biden lacks cognizance continues to weaponize the “Alphabet” agencies like the ATF. Remember your own municipality if it is controlled by the democrats you will have police force that follows this current madness of the anti gun advocates. The same is to be said for the state you live in elections are important. Get out vote support the party you believe will better your life. Sadly today both parties are negligent to the taxpayers real needs.The democratic elected will order those in your community to enforce whatever mandate that… Read more »
David Codrea took his time to run a quick last minute story that had to be published immediately on Ammoland warning the second amendment community of the tyranny that was at stake several years ago. Because of the timing when Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guavera went to city council like Chicken Little and advised the city chuckleheads to shut down all the city buildings because Covid was coming! (Not a single infection for surrounding counties) they were shutting down the largest gun show to ever grace the county. https://bigbendsentinel.com/2020/10/21/gun-show-producer-files-lawsuit-against-marfa/ They came for the gun shows and nobody did anything because… Read more »
If there’s a fund being set up for JM Guns to help with Legal Fees, I’d appreciate hearing back. I don’t have much, but this is a cause I’d give what I can too.
Thank you for your offer. We are looking into several things to continue, but they do take time. By any means we are not rich but please save your money and spend it on your family. Ben Morrison
I hope the Morrison’s did not turn in any 4473 that was more than 20 years old.
Old and out of date is the only information they should get.
What SCOTUS? What Constitution? What USA?
Oh, that all still exists. Quietly sell everything, and move here.
Bull. Waco was assisted by TEXANS. ~50 dead in El Paso & Uvalde thx to TX gun control&coward cops
What wrong with a little hijinks among the world’s elite
We aren’t invited Okay Then
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/bohemian-grove-where-the-rich-and-powerful-go-to-misbehave/2011/06/15/AGPV1sVH_blog.html
The existence of purchase records in private dealer hands IS registration. A rogue gvt knows where they are, can take them as desired, no accountability. Gvt “background checks” ARE registration. Rogue gvts will keep the info. FIRST PRINCIPLES: The only things achieved with “background checks” are registration, prior restraint of innocents, unconstitutional punishment of “prohibited persons” based on non-mens-rea “crimes”, DVROs, vets with file notes etc, no recourse to true due process: Fair Trial by Jury. Doesn’t stop criminals from getting guns-cars-knives-matches-gas-poison. Adopting enemy principles and appeasing with NICS etc, sets us up for more gun control, helps grabbers claim… Read more »
SO a gun shop has its FFL pulled after MULTIPLE errors of the conditions of their FFL and they are suddenly a victim.
So you would ruin the livelihood of several families over a few clerical errors, based upon a definition that Congress did not make in a statute that is unconstitutional?
Yes. FFLs are unconstitutional.
Much of the 4473 is filled in by the customer. Clerical errors include things like abbreviations, misspellings, date format, etc., all of which may be done by the customer. None are big deals but I suppose as you have never made a typo, grammatical error, or misspelled anything your tolerance for mere mortals is low.
Why don’t you just go somewhere that your opinion is wanted. Oh, wait! That would be impossible!
mr. perfect, i have a couple of questions for you. exactly how many is multiple? how many times has batfe audited this ffl in the past; how many times have they found violations at this ffl? did their original ffl paperwork say that they could not have any clerical errors or is the government changing the rules, like they do often? obviously you agree with this decision to shut down a private business over clerical errors. have you ever started and run a business or do you just sit up there in your ivory tower and look down at everyone… Read more »
He doesn’t look down he has to Look Up!
No but you lefties are always whining and playing the victim card . If that’s a question where is the question mark clown or is it a false statement ? Notice the question mark as I asked a question Lefty .
You are proof of the Democrats dumbing down of America .
Clerical errors are made every day by the best of people and it isn’t a reason to shut them down. This is a war on the People by the current administration that is Blatantly breaking the laws of our Constitution.They need to be removed from office and shut the ATF down and stopped cold.
They need to be more than shut down. They all need to be executed for treason, starting with the resident idiot in the White House.
I wonder how many clerical errors Hunter & Kerry made in their back door deals for the Big Guy ? Shame we’ll never know. Lol
You must read the whole story including the TAKEAWAYS. So here is your answer or at least one of them and it comes from the story above under TAKEAWAYS
Now, even the most insignificant clerical error is a willful violation, which means the dealer is a rogue, and their license is quickly revoked. The ATF was happy to play along since they’ve always been more than willing to bend over for the White House, regardless of the constitutionality of the request.
(BUT YOU are probably unable to understand that. Dimwit)
You obviously don’t understand what an unintentional clerical error
Hey, change your username to something besides lefty. I am left handed and you are discrediting left handed American patriots who believe in the Constitution. Actually you are insulting me.
I use to say “I’m a lefty”. But now I have to clarify, I am left handed
You are such a miserable POS.
Go F*ck yourself!
So if the IRS were to find “simple” mistakes in regard to your taxes and came down on you like a ton of bricks would you classify yourself as a victim or remain silent and pay without question.
The little bitch always has to chime in.
It makes for a fun reply.
He always shows why the Left are a bunch of pussies. One day he will know what it’s like Live in a communist country. I’ll personally put him on the bus south.