Wow! NBC Reporter’s On-Air Gun Felony May Actually Be Prosecuted
Are you ready for a refreshing moment of sanity and the rule of law?
Just a few days ago, our sister publication Freedom’s Lodge reported that an NBC reporter named Vaughn Hillyard, together with–get this–the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, completed an anti-gun hit piece for NBC. It was designed as an on-camera “sting operation,” but there was just one problem: In doing so, Hillyard committed a felony punishable by five years in federal PMITA prison. Gun rights supporters are justifiably outraged … but for once, it looks like someone may actually face real consequences for committing a gun crime and bragging about it on camera.
Pennsylvania State House Speaker Bryan D. Cutler has advised a group of gun rights organizations including the Second Amendment Foundation that he is “reviewing all allowable actions at the disposal of the General Assembly” in reaction to a call for an investigation following what appears to have been a violation of various state and federal gun laws in a recent NBC hidden camera report on “ghost guns.”
As Ammoland’s John Crump noted at the time he initially broke the story, “The news crew transferred two complete ‘readily convertible’ kits out of the parts they purchased separately at the show. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) previously viewed ‘buy, build, shoot’ kits as readily convertible and, therefore, a firearm…If the ATF still keeps to that definition, Hillyard, an out-of-state resident, transferred two ‘readily convertible’ firearms (pistols) kits illegally to the Pennsylvania AG’s employees to complete. There is not an exception in the law for any AG’s ‘special agents,’ which means that the agents must obey all laws.”
The undercover report, which aired March 17, 2022, involved NBC reporter Vaughn Hillyard and the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Hillyard purchased two P80 firearm kits, then subsequently enlisted help from agents with the AG’s office to complete the “80% kits,” turning them into fully functional firearms. The finished guns were fired on camera.
Responding to the investigation request, Speaker Cutler said the matter could be referred to the House Government Oversight Committee, or SAF could also pursue action from the U.S. Department of Justice, because it involves alleged violation of federal gun laws.
“At present,” Speaker Cutler wrote, “I am reviewing all allowable actions at the disposal of the General Assembly regarding this issue. Again, I want to thank you for bringing this important issue to my attention.”
“We’re delighted that Speaker Cutler is taking this matter seriously,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “When this apparent ‘sting’ was first brought to our attention, we were stunned that anyone from a responsible news organization would try for such sensationalism. Only a full investigation can determine whether, and to what degree, state and federal laws were violated. Just because you’re a reporter, you do not enjoy any special privilege to violate the law,” Gottlieb observed. “We’re indebted to Speaker Cutler for outlining the authority, and the limitations, of the House of Representatives when it comes to investigations, and especially for providing other options that are available.
“We certainly intend to pursue this matter, wherever the path takes us,” he said. “This kind of nonsense may look good during a news broadcast, but the glimmer wears off fast if there is a criminal violation that may be prosecuted.”
they should have rolled up Jake trapper when he whipped out an AK47 in the studio a couple years ago
Don’t hold your breath. No liberal ever gets charged for any illegal activity , ever! They are always given a pass, but god forbid any one of us conservatives do anything and they throw us under the jail. I’ve seen time and time again. So don’t hold your breath, because nothing will ever happen . it go nowhere.
This is all done to discredit the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America,and to destroy our ability to home build LEGAL TO BUILD AND OWN firearms.If the criminal powers that be in the U.S. government and their lackey’s can get rid of the Second Amendment,the rest of our constitutional rights WILL fall.When the U.S.Constitution is gone,the Bill of Rights WILL fall as well.After those two documents are eliminated,TYRANNY WILL REIGN!Get your 80% lowers and all of the parts kits you can get your hands on now,for tomorrow they may be made unconstitutionally illegal.
Damn right, dumdass. Any gun that doesn’t have a traceable serial number should be illegal. Those are the types of weapons that these damn punk ads neggers are using everyday to kill someone, maybe you’ll be next!
All types of monsters use all types of weapons to commit crimes. Your belief that this can be stopped is a fantasy. The only way to stop crime is at point of impact. If laws were effective there would no crime. The effect of most laws is not on criminals They don’t follow laws, the effect is on the general population . Should the government know about every thing you own ? Would you prefer that arms were smuggled in to the country. There is no good, hard, fast solution , but for all honest people to take ownership of protecting each other
By the way leon meenee you are a racist
Sorry, but not so. Thugs and gangstas don’t build. They steal or obtain guns by some other means. Collectors and gun enthusiasts build. They’re the LAST people you need to worry about having a gun without a serial number on it. Show me the last time an 80% build was used in a crime.
Gun laws will only keep guns from the people who SHOULD have them. Criminals are criminals because they break laws, and won’t care at all about gun laws.
Sorry pal, virtually all guns used by the “criminals/ gang bangers) are stolen guns and have serial numbers. The 80% kits require some fairly accurate finish “machining ” to properly work. Most people do not have the tools to accomplish this.
Statistics show that in 10 years, less than 150 non-serialized weapons have been found at the scene of violent crime. Punks don’t care. There is no paper trail of ownership on stolen firearms.
How about David Gregory wiyth a 30-rd AR-15 magazine inside D.C. city limits on live tv?????
And thet’ll be tried along with Hillary and Hunter, ri-i-i-ight.
don’t forget Trump should be in the dock as well
This happens regularly, LEOs set up illegal stings all the time trying and arrest people for something they did. I had a fellow FLL buy a “box of firearm stuff from a fake widow, within the box was an ar-15 lower, they lived on a state border and tried to charge him with illegal purchase, problem was they didn’t know he was an FFL holder and not only walked but won some money out of it… sad part it’s always tax payers money.
and now for the rest of the news… NOTHING – NADA – will come of this.
About damn time.