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Archive for the ‘LE’ Category

North Carolina and North Dakota Police Chiefs and Federal Firearms Licensees Indicted for Conspiracy to Illegally Acquire Machineguns and Other Firearms

Friday, October 20th, 2023

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging five defendants with a conspiracy to illegally acquire machineguns and other regulated firearms.  Charged in the indictment, which was unsealed yesterday are: Sean Reidpath Sullivan, age 38, of Gambrills, Maryland; Larry Allen Vickers, age 60, of Charlotte, North Carolina; James Christopher Tafoya, age 45, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Matthew Jeremy Hall, age 53, of Four Oaks, North Carolina; and James Sawyer, age 50, of Ray, North Dakota. 

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Baltimore Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Inspector General Joseph Y. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (“DHS OIG”).

According to the 26-count indictment, Hall and Sawyer were Chiefs of Police in Coats, North Carolina and Ray, North Dakota, respectively.  Sullivan was the owner and operator of Trident, LLC, located in Gambrills, Maryland, and was also an Intelligence Analyst with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  Sullivan and Trident were Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) and Special Occupational Taxpayers (“SOTs”), which allowed them, in certain circumstances, to possess, import, manufacture, and deal in fully automatic firearms (machineguns) and other regulated firearms.  Tafoya and Vickers owned and operated firearms related businesses in New Mexico and North Carolina and were also FFLs and SOTs.

The indictment alleges that, beginning in at least June 2018 through at least March 2021, the defendants conspired to acquire machineguns and/or other restricted firearms, such as short-barreled rifles, by falsely representing that the firearms would be used for demonstration to law enforcement agencies, including the Coats Police Department and the Ray Police Department.  The indictment further alleges that Hall, Sawyer, and other conspirators signed law letters with no expectation that the weapons would ever be demonstrated to their respective law enforcement agencies.

The defendants allegedly intended to impermissibly import into the United States and resell the machineguns and other firearms for profit or to keep for their own use and enjoyment.  Sullivan allegedly submitted the false law letters to the ATF seeking to import the machineguns and other restricted weapons.  Once the firearms were received, Sullivan allegedly kept some of the machineguns and other restricted weapons and transferred some of the weapons to Vickers, Tafoya, and other conspirators.

In addition to the indictment, Larry Vickers pleaded guilty yesterday to participating in the conspiracy to import and obtain machineguns and other restricted firearms and admitted that he received some of the imported machineguns and other weapons.  As detailed in his plea agreement, Vickers kept some of the machineguns and other restricted weapons in his personal collection and transferred other machineguns and restricted weapons to other FFLs and third parties.  Vickers also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate U.S. sanctions against a foreign firearms manufacturer between July 2014 and March 2021, in the Southern District of Florida. 

Vickers faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate federal law regulating firearms and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.  U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin has not yet scheduled sentencing for Vickers.

If convicted, Sullivan, Tafoya, Hall, and Sawyer face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate federal law regulating firearms and for each count of false statements related to submission of a law letter.  Sullivan and Tafoya face a maximum of five years in federal prison for each count of unlawful importation of a firearm and for each count of making a false statement in records maintained by FFLs.  Sullivan also faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of unregistered machineguns and 10 years in federal prison for using criminal proceeds to conduct financial transactions.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  Sullivan and Tafoya have already had an initial appearance U.S. District Court in Baltimore and were released pending trial.  Hall and Sawyer are expected to have an initial appearance at a later date.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the ATF, the FBI, the IRS-CI on behalf of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and DHS-OIG for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys P. Michael Cunningham and Christine Goo, who are prosecuting the case and recognized Trial Attorneys Menno Goedman and Sean O’Dowd of the Justice Department’s National Security Division and Criminal Division, respectively, for their work on the Vickers guilty plea.

Cobalt Kinetics Equipped Lubbock P.D. S.W.A.T. Wins TTPOA 2023 SWAT Competition

Friday, October 20th, 2023

October 20th, 2023: Cobalt Kinetics, a manufacturer of exquisitely designed (and expertly built) American Masterpiece firearms and accessories; is proud to announce the First-place win of the “Cobalt equipped” Lubbock, TX Police Departments’ S.W.A.T. team at the TTPOA 2023 SWAT Competition (Oct 5th- 8th 2023).  The Lubbock, TX team rose to first place and claimed their victory at the end of the grueling competition all whilst running their (departmentally purchased) 12.5” CK-Pro rifles. The team has also adopted the 14.5” CK-SPR Elites for the Sniper Team/ Section.

 

“We could not have been more excited to learn that the 1st place rifle sponsor for the competition was Cobalt, especially since our SWAT team just went to all Cobalt Rifles. It just felt like it was meant to be.”

– Jasper Koenig (Lubbock, TX P.D. SWAT)

The Lubbock SWAT team is one of many satisfied adopters of the Cobalt Kinetics platform/s and have quickly noticed how the implementation of (properly designed) equipment allows them to commit to their daily tasks with ease. The Cobalt LE/ GOV division also provides Lifetime Warranty on the platforms, Lifetime Warranty on duty barrels, and Officer Involved Shooting insurance (duty platform swap until it is released from evidence) on all department contract platforms. If you (and your department) would like to book an in-house demo with our LE sales team, please make sure to reach out to us (Sales@CobaltKinetics.com). Your team will quickly be able to see the first-hand benefits of swapping your department over to the “Cobalt Advantage”.

For more information on Cobalt Kinetics and their products go to www.CobaltKinetics.com

FBI Seeks New Holsters

Friday, October 20th, 2023

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released a request for information to industry for holsters which for their GLOCK pistols. Pursuant to this RFI,  the Government plans to schedule individual vendor demonstrations over a period of two (2) days, November 8-9, 2023.

According to the RFI, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Firearms Training Unit (FTU) is responsible for training FBI agents and issuing holsters for new agent training.  This consists of the Glock 17M Gen 5 and Glock 19M Gen 5.  Recent additions of suppressor height sights and red dot sights have created the need for a different holster than what has been issued in the past.  

Desired characteristics:

Meet the basic requirements as contained in FBI Policy, as it relates to “Approved for duty carry.”

a. All holsters must be Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant.

b. No components shall have been used previously.  

c. All holsters shall present a 0 degree vertical draw.  The capability to slightly cant the weapon through attachment options is acceptable.  The vender must submit all attachments required to achieve canting.

d. Holsters must fit their respective Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS pistols in the following configurations:

1. Equipped with the Aimpoint ACRO P2 optical sight, Aimpoint adapter plate AP-200520, and AmeriGlo Custom Firearms suppressor height sight set (GL-815, GL-814, GL-813); and

2. Equipped with the Trijicon RMR Type 2 optical sight, C&H Precision Glock MOS V4 Plate (GL-RSH), and Ameriglo Custom Firearms suppressor height sight set (GL-815, GL-814, GL-813).

e. The pistol will have a mounted light attached to the accessory rail with the following characteristics:

• United States Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliant.

• Mounted to the rail on a Glock 19M and Glock 17M handguns

• Weight not to exceed 4.5 ounces empty

• Length not to exceed 3.75 inches or past the front of the gun barrel

• Depth not to exceed the width of a Glock 19M  and Glock 17M handguns

• Switch controlled with ability to one a single finger operation

• Battery light run time:  Minimum 1.5 hours

• Attached and detached from the gun without the aid of a tool

f. Holsters shall not be modified to fit both pistols (G17 and G19), i.e. an adapter which allows either pistol to fit in the same holster.

g. Tactical Light-bearing holsters shall be available only in black.

h. Tactical holsters shall accommodate both the Aimpoint ACRO P2 electronic mounted optic option (Modular Optic System) and the Trijicon RMR Type 2 electronic mounted optic option (MOS).

i. Holsters will have an active retention device.

2. Tactical Light-Bearing Holster – Glock 17 Gen5 MOS AND Glock 19 Gen5 MOS Shall:

a. Holsters must not utilize glass filled material.

b. All of the operational controls for the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS shall fit without exception, to include the Glock Part Number 33713 dual extended magazine catch and the Glock Part Number 47249 extended ambidextrous slide stop lever.

c. Be constructed of durable material that will not excessively scratch, mar, or abrade any contact surface of the weapon through the life cycle of the holster.

d. The material and design shall be rigid enough not to allow any digit of the hand to pass between the holster and the trigger guard covering to prevent access to the trigger while the weapon is holstered.  The trigger guard shall be fully covered.

e. The holster shall have an active retention device.

f. Secure the holster and weapon to the body at the belt line strong side.

g. Holster shall secure the weapon through strenuous physical activity.

h. Holster shall allow the weapon to be drawn and holstered with one hand.

i. The holster shall not have a lining on the interior of the holster that is susceptible to swelling in humid or wet climates.

j. The design of the holster shall fit the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS exclusively.  No holsters that are designed to fit “All Glocks”, or a generic fit will be accepted.  Holsters which fit the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS are acceptable.

k. The holster shall be attached to the wearer at the beltline strong side with an adapter that drops the weapon not less than 1.5 inches and not more than 4 inches below the belt line as measured from the top of the belt to the back of the rear sight.

l. The attachment to the body shall be durable and sturdy enough to retain the weapon and holster on the body during strenuous physical activity, to include inversion.

m. The holster shall be of sufficient design and rigidity that the holster will not flex while seated activating some of the operating controls of the weapon, for example, ejecting a magazine because of flex tension on the magazine catch.

n. The holster shall retain the weapon as certified by the manufacturer, with the same level of retention, with or without a light attached.

o. The holster shall secure the weapon through violent motion forward, backward, and straight up without disengaging the retention device.  The retention device shall not suffer catastrophic damage through this action.

p. The type, design, and placement of the retention device shall not change or alter the establishment of the grip by the strong hand.

q. The retention device shall be of a design so as not to telegraph its purpose or function.

r. The retention device shall not require the use of the trigger finger.

s. The holster shall not be secured with a leg strap.

t. The holster shall accommodate the above mentioned weapon mounted light characteristics, which do not extend forward of the gun barrel and are not wider than the widest measured width of the gun.  Also, the holster does not extend significantly past the end of the length of the Glock 17 Gen5 MOS and Glock 19 Gen5 MOS gun barrel.

To be considered, vendors must submit a company capabilities statement NLT 1:00pm CDT, October 27, 2023. Full details are available at SAM.gov.

Lubbock SWAT Takes 1st Place at the 2023 Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Annual SWAT Competition

Sunday, October 15th, 2023

ROUND ROCK, Texas – October 8, 2023 – The Texas Tactical Police Officers Association recently completed its annual SWAT competition, title sponsored this year by Sons of Liberty Gun Works. Thirty-six teams competed this year, with nine out-of-state teams and collegiate marksmanship teams entering. Past recent years have included international competitors as well. The competition was held over four days, and teams ran in eight separate events.

Friday & Saturday of the competition included a vendor show, with 5.11 Tactical, Cobalt Kinetics, Point Blank Enterprises, Safariland Systems, and Triarc Systems helping the competition as Platinum sponsors.

TTPOA President Dan Calosanto applauded Lubbock SWAT for their win – ” This was a record number of entries for us with 36 teams, and Lubbock PD deserves congratulations.”

Kolton Pirkle, member of Lubbock SWAT and sniper for the winning team, had high praise for the event. “This year’s TTPOA SWAT Competition was great. You could immediately see that the TTPOA Staff and hosting agency put in a ton of work to make the competition flow. The events were challenging and placed a large emphasis on understanding the mission, team communication during the mission, and executing the plan as a team. There was a high value placed on accuracy and accountability with high round counts and penalties for every miss or procedural violation. They provided teams with opportunities for strategy and creativity to think outside the box on how to get to the finish line. Our team has competed with TTPOA since 2012 and the event seems to get better each year. We believe that this year’s event was up there with the best. This competition definitely pushes us to train hard and get better as a team each year as well. If you are on the fence as a department or as a business looking for exposure in the tactical world, this is the event to get into. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition.”

Andy Adkins, TTPOA Vendor Coordinator, had specific praise for the vendors and sponsors at the competition.  “This year was another phenomenal year of support from our beloved sponsors and vendors at the Competition. There’s no way that we could accomplish our mission of networking and providing training to officers from around the country without the support of our vendors and I must acknowledge their contribution.

Our Competition vendor show is smaller in scale than our annual conference, but still packs a serious punch when it comes to the exhibition of dynamic products designed to make the lives of our officers better, safer, and more effective.

This past year at our Conference, we hosted 200 vendors, who brought their ‘A’ game to be sure. We saw an incredible display of innovative products and I encourage anyone who is toying with the idea of attending as a student or as a vendor to find a way to get to our conference in April!”

The TTPOA will celebrate its 40th year anniversary in 2024, and the annual Conference, Training Symposium, and Vendor Show will be held April 24-28 at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock, Texas. If you have interest in attending, please visit our website at www.ttpoa.org;  prospective vendors can contact Andy Adkins at andy.adkins@ttpoa.org.

Behind the Mini Shield: Chattanooga Police Department Deploys RTS Tactical Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shield

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

“As the landscape of law enforcement evolves, so does the Armor that protects our heroes. Walk with us through the corridors of Chattanooga PD, where Lt. Rusty Morrison offers a glimpse into the alliance with RTS Tactical – a bond forged in Steel and Trust.”

In an era of increasing demands for tactical proficiency and protection among Law Enforcement, the choice of equipment has never been more critical.

Departments across the country are searching for gear that provides optimum protection that is versatile and comfortable. A leading name in this domain is RTS Tactical. Our team recently had an in-depth conversation with Lt. Rusty Morrison, Organized Crime Commander of the Chattanooga Police Department, who has incorporated RTS Tactical’s Level lll+ Rifle Special Threats Shields into his Department’s Operations.

Here’s an analysis of their experience with these products.

Every police department wants equipment that performs when it matters most.

“The department was operationally “satisfied” with the overall performance of RTS Tactical Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shield.”

The shield withstood rounds from the department’s arsenal in specific testing scenarios, a testament to its resilience and capability.

“Testing and training with newly acquired equipment is an absolute must for Police Department personnel;” discussing this with Lt. Morrison provided unique insight into the performance and efficacy of our RTS Tactical Level III+ Rifle Special Threats Mini Shield™.

While protection is paramount, usability can’t be sidelined. After all, an uncomfortable or unwieldy piece of equipment can hinder operations. The feedback we received highlighted that

“the weight, balance, and maneuverability of the Mini Shields were ideal for a patrol officer.” 

Our Mini Shield is offered in three different sizes:

Small: 12 x 18 inches.
Medium: 14 x 24 inches.
Large: 16 x 30 inches.

Adapting to new equipment often requires changes in training protocols and operational routines. Yet, the department’s experience showcased a seamless integration. With the purchase of 70 shields and continuous support from RTS Tactical, Lt. Morrison expressed confidence in making subsequent Mini Shield acquisitions. This sentiment underscores the product’s compatibility with their department’s training paradigm and operations.

Behind every great product is a team offering exemplary service.

Lt. Morrison was “very satisfied” with the communication and support from RTS Tactical, emphasizing the significance of a knowledgeable, responsive, and engaged vendor in the equipment selection process.

Situations will always dictate tactics. RTS Tactical incorporates this in its Design and manufacturing practices, as does Chattanooga Police Department’s SRT. After testing and training with our Mini Shields, Their SWAT team expressed interest in Mini Shields to access small crawl areas such as attic spaces. Specialized Units also mentioned exploring concealable vests, which we manufacture in our facilities in Miami, Florida.

Policing in the 21st century requires cutting-edge equipment that provides optimal protection without compromising usability. RTS Tactical’s Level lll+ Rifle Shields balance both, with a few areas left for potential enhancement. As policing needs continue evolving, so should the tools that serve our law enforcement community. Collaboration between vendors and departments, as seen with RTS Tactical, might be the key to ensuring that evolution.

“Collaborative innovation is the keystone of modern policing. Together, RTS Tactical and Law Enforcement agencies nationwide pledge to safeguard communities with the best the industry has to offer. It’s not just about equipment; it’s about a shared vision and a promise to protect.”

Be safe, train hard and often, and always be fearless!

Call us…786-796-2759

Inquire about funding through our grant program…Click Here

to inquire about making a purchase for your department or to request a T&E, fill out our Testing and Evaluation form!

L9 Manufacturing Announces Delivery of Rifle to Utah Highway Patrol

Thursday, September 14th, 2023

San Antonio, Texas – L9 Manufacturing proudly announces the successful delivery of 250 rifles to the Utah Highway Patrol, following a rigorous competitive bidding process.

We aim to be the trusted choice for the professional end-user and the community they serve by producing safe, reliable, and superior rifles tailored to their operational needs. Since 2014, L9 Mfg. has been dedicated to providing high-quality, American-made M4 and MK10 firearm platforms and accessories with proven craftsmanship and performance. As a leader in the firearms industry, L9 Mfg. instills confidence and trust in their clients through innovative design, extensive data collection, rigorous product testing, and accuracy. L9 Mfg. stands with the professional end-user by offering a lifetime warranty and a service promise to support and replace any issued firearm platform used in the line of duty.

“These rifles will enhance the Utah Highway Patrol’s public safety efforts. We’re honored to support the Utah Highway Patrol and are confident in these rifles’ value. We are committed to upholding the highest standard of quality and accountability through support and service.” ? L9 Mfg.

For more information, please visit:

www.L9Mfg.com

SWAT, Military Practice Tactical Casualty Care During 2023 Tactical Rescue Challenge

Sunday, September 10th, 2023

SWAT and Military teams put their tactical combat care skills to the test during the 5th Annual Tactical Rescue Challenge at the Connecticut National Guard’s Camp Hartell in Windsor Locks, Conn. Aug. 14, 2023.

The Tactical Rescue Challenge was created in 2018 as an additional piece to the annual Connecticut SWAT Challenge and tests police and rescue teams on critical medical skills and tactics necessary during rescue operations in austere environments.

“[The challenge is] really geared toward the team medic although operators are cross trained into medicine, so you have not just medics participating in the event but other operators for any kind of tactical team,” said Maj. Wesley Kyle. “There’s a heavy emphasis on medicine in addition to casualty evacuation rescue techniques, moving the casualties off the “X”, and performing treatments at appropriate times.”

Prior to 2001, a trauma patient may have received basic life-saving medical care when an Emergency Medical Technician arrived on the scene. However, Kyle said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan lead to a shift in the point of origin for beginning emergency medical care from the EMT to the police officer or other first responders.

“Moving care toward the point of injury really started out of those wars and then quickly transitioned to the civilian tactical teams,” said Kyle, an Emergency Room doctor in the civilian sector with experience working with SWAT during his residency. “We’re still translating lessons learned from the battlefield because there was such a large loss of life with penetrating trauma, and there was kind of an explosion of new ideas … it’s changed the whole landscape and it’s incredible to see all these things fully adopted on the civilian side.”

Medical innovation is, of course, not something new on the battlefield. Tourniquets were first developed by the Roman army. The concept of triaging patients was developed by Baron Dominique Jean Larrey, chief surgeon in Napoleon’s Army. The ambulance was invented during the American Civil War. Tactical Combat Casualty Care, or TC3, methodologies were developed in the early 90s and fine-tuned during the Global War on Terror. There have also been massive advancements in preventative medicine, mental and emotional health, sanitation, plastic surgery and prosthetics, and many, many more.

For competitors in the Tactical Rescue Challenge, the primary focus was on TC3: care under fire, tactical field care, and tactical evacuation care. In one scenario, teams were required to breach a train and eliminate a threat before evaluating and applying field care to a simulated casualty and extracting the patient to a higher-level of care. A second scenario had teams extract a wounded K-9 from a tear gas-filled train car before administering a tourniquet.

While the idea of a first responder, such as a police officer, having the capability, training, and resources available to administer lifesaving first aid may seem logical, the truth is not every department or officer is afforded this luxury. In addition to providing a competitive environment for officers and operators to practice their skills in a stressful, high-pace environment, the Tactical Rescue Challenge is also meant to demonstrate the importance of incorporating these skills at the lowest level to improve the survivability for people in harm’s way.

To learn more about the Tactical Rescue Challenge, visit: www.ctswatchallenge.com/tactical-rescue-challenge

Photo by Timothy Koster, Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office

SIG SAUER Statement on Montville, CT Police Department Incident

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023

NEWINGTON, N.H., (July 31, 2023): SIG SAUER has the following statement relative to a reported unintentional discharge from an officer at the Montville, CT Police Department on Monday, July 24, 2023:

“We have seen the news reporting of the incident involving a P320 discharge at the Montville (CT) Police Department.  We are confident, as is the case in all instances, that when the factors and evidence are reviewed this will be proven to be an unintentional discharge as a result of inadvertent contact with the trigger, and that the pistol did not fire without a trigger pull.

In reviewing the video footage of this incident currently available, it appears that the involved firearm was not fully seated in its holster and the holster retention hood was not fully closed over the pistol at the time of discharge (images below).  This improperly holstered condition would have left the firearm’s trigger exposed and vulnerable to actuation.  Even if properly holstered, the features of the involved holster allow for foreign object intrusion and interaction with the trigger, as has been seen in other incidents. 

We regret that the involved agency jumped to conclusions regarding the cause of this discharge without first carefully examining the footage of the incident and providing SIG SAUER with an opportunity to assist in the examination of the involved firearm.

The P320 model firearm is used effectively and safely every day, by both civilians and armed professionals.  Despite years of litigation and extensive discovery, no one has ever been able to replicate a condition under which the P320 could discharge without a trigger pull, and experts who have attempted to assert such a claim have been repeatedly thrown out of court as unqualified and/or unreliable.  Three separate federal courts (in the matters of Frankenberry v. SIG SAUER, Mayes v. SIG SAUER, and Hilton v. SIG SAUER) have concluded that the two experts who have proffered a theory of uncommanded discharge are unfit to testify in court because they are unqualified and/or their opinions are untested and unreliable.  In the only case regarding a P320 discharge to proceed to a full trial (Guay v. SIG SAUER), a jury of 12 rejected these experts’ unproven and unscientific theory, and found unanimously in favor of SIG SAUER.  SIG SAUER stands behind the proven safety and reliability of the P320.”