but.....all this surveillance data doesn't mean anyone at anytime will ever use it to "come after your guns".
And, if you believe that....
NSA Officials Admit Gun Owners On ‘High Priority’ Surveillance List
By George Drivas -
June 30, 2016
And, if you believe that....
NSA Officials Admit Gun Owners On ‘High Priority’ Surveillance List
By George Drivas -
June 30, 2016
Photo Credit: “Atac Event – Selena Narayanasamy – M60 Machine Gun”,
MSNBC correspondent Aaron McCarthy sat down with government official William Hunsaker to discuss recent rumors that have been in circulation in regard to gun owners within the United States being placed on a ‘higher priority’ surveillance list.
William Hunsaker who currently holds a position within the National Security Branch of the government agreed to complete transparency prior to the interview with MSNBC’s Aaron McCarthy and did remain direct and seemingly forthright throughout his conversation with McCarthy.
After a few moments of introduction, McCarthy bluntly asked the question,” Mr. Hunsaker, if I were to make the statement, most gun owners within the United States receive more aggressive surveillance from the government than non-gun owners, would the statement be true or false?”
Hunsaker responded by saying, “That would be a true statement, the National Security Agency has been collecting and compiling records of gun ownership for the purpose of protective surveillance since 1999.
McCarthy asked Hunsaker to explain the reasoning behind the high-priority surveillance list which to some may seem inappropriately broad, Hunsaker answered the question with the following statement, “It’s nothing more than collecting and utilizing data. It’s not always a popular stance, however the truth is that individuals with guns inflict harm on other individuals.”
The National Security Official went on to explain, “We understand that not all individuals that own firearms have intentions to inflict malice on others, however many times we have the ability to identify those that do. Additionally, we are able to gain insights into gun owners mental stability through intensive and strategic surveillance.”
MSNBC correspondent Aaron McCarthy asked Hunsaker to explain what variables are taken into account when assigning a surveillance priority among gun owners, Hunsaker explained that the NSA has established tiers which dictate the level of surveillance a gun owner receives. Hunsaker declined to elaborate on what type of surveillance each tier received, however indicated that the most common methods of surveillance include, but are not limited to, email surveillance, phone surveillance, call records, text message surveillance, social media account surveillance, instant message surveillance, and internet browsing surveillance.
McCarthy asked Hunsaker to explain the process in which the government assigns an individual to a certain tier and he responded with the following comment, “We use a very complex and always evolving systematic approaching to assigning an individual to a surveillance tier, however some of the basic things we look at include, has an individual applied for a firearm through a licensed dealer? Has an individual purchased a firearm? We retain purchase records from all licensed dealers and gun stores within the United States. Has an individual purchased an assault rifle such as an AK-47?”
McCarthy asked how individuals could find out if they are on the high priority surveillance list to which Hunsaker responded, “Have you applied for or purchased a firearm in the United States between the years of 1999-2016? If so, then you are on this list.”
The MSNBC correspondent concluded the interview by asking Hunsaker, “aside from receiving heighted surveillance from the government, are there potentially any additional consequences of being on this high priority surveillance list?” Hunsaker responded by saying, “the purpose of the list is to collect and utilize data in addition to preventing tragedy not to create consequences.”
