Source.

Several gun shops in Twin Falls are alleging that the Twin Falls Police Department is maintaining a form of “gun registration” and that the police are trying to force them into the program under the threat of law.

Editorial comment: what law says they can force this on FFLs? Pay attention, cite it, do your homework, and be precise.

Idaho Dispatch sat down with the owners of Quick Response Firearms (Tara and Daniel Corsini) and Homestead Tactical (Joshua Van Dyke), both located in Twin Falls. Both shops say TFPD is trying to force them to use a program called “LeadsOnline.” They claim the program not only acts as a de facto “gun registration program” because it requires personal information about the customer selling the gun as well as information about the firearm being sold.

TFPD allegedly told the gun shops that the program helps them catch criminals faster.

The dispute between the gun shops and the police department is over secondhand purchases of firearms by the gun shops.

According to the Corsinis and Van Dyke, federal law already requires them to maintain a list of every firearm that is sold to or by the shop as well as the personal information of the buyer and seller. The gun shops maintain an “Acquisition and Disposition Log” with every customer’s personal information as required by the ATF. Both gun shops say the log is maintained offline, customer personal information is protected, and personal information is only disclosed in the event of an active investigation.

For example, the Corsinis said two firearms they purchased from a customer were reported stolen early in 2023. The Twin Falls police investigated who sold the Corsinis the guns, and the items were returned to their owner. The Corsinis said they worked with the police, and because there was an active investigation, they were able to give them the necessary information for the case.

The Corsinis say they have purchased over 8,000 firearms since they began business in 2019 and that, to date, those are the only two stolen firearms they have ever had. Van Dyke says he has not had any stolen firearms sold to his business to date.

Approximately one year after the stolen firearms were returned, the Corsinis and Van Dyke say police started “harassing” them to use LeadsOnline, an online program used by law enforcement agencies across the country. The Corsinis noted that not all interactions with law enforcement were negative, but one detective, who was not named, allegedly told them they had to comply or face misdemeanor charges.

[ … ]

Additionally, Idaho Dispatch asked LeadsOnline who can access the information collected by the Twin Falls police. LeadsOnline told Idaho Dispatch that each agency controls who can access the data they are gathering.

Finally, Idaho Dispatch asked LeadsOnline what would happen if the FBI, ATF, or any other federal agency asked for data from a law enforcement agency. What would LeadsOnline require to turn over that data? However, no answer to this question was provided.

Idaho Dispatch contacted Lieutenant Craig Stotts (listed as a media contact) with the TFPD to ask why personal information regarding the secondhand firearms purchases by gun shops was required, if the gun shops already maintain that information in their Acquisition and Disposition Log, and if LeadsOnline does not require it to be gathered.

Additionally, Idaho Dispatch asked Stotts for a response to the gun shops’ claims of harassment by TFPD, claims that the shops faced misdemeanor charges, and whether they believed LeadsOnline was serving as a de facto gun registration program.

Idaho Dispatch emailed and called Stotts, but we have not received a response to any of our questions.

Van Dyke says one of his biggest concerns is the collection of personal information by the police, which he said is a violation of the 4th Amendment.

One of the comments stated that Merick Garland met with Idaho law enforcement just prior to these threats by law enforcement.

Sure enough, that’s true. Said one LEO, ““You never know,” Huff said. “I’ve never met somebody that high up in the government, and quite honestly, I was impressed with how down to earth the attorney general was, as far as just taking the time out of his schedule to hear from the local officers.”

What is it with local and state law enforcement when they meet up with the FedGov? What makes them swoon like little girls and do what they’re told?

Anyway, this is your daily reminder that cops are not your friend.

And perhaps another in the frequent reminders that Idaho isn’t perfect. In fact, I’ve been quite surprised lately in just how bad the place can be with it’s corruption (especially the governor and executive branch). I think the people of Idaho need to take back their government.

Via Wisco.