I was saddened to learn that a well-known shooter and veteran, Larry Vickers, has pleaded guilty to serious firearms offenses.
Special operations combat veteran, firearms industry consultant, tactical instructor and YouTube personality with more than a million loyal followers, Larry Allen Vickers, pleaded guilty last week to a multi-count federal indictment that accused him of conspiring to illegally import and obtain machineguns and other restricted firearms, and conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against a Russian arms manufacturer.
Vickers, 60, faces up to 25 years in prison, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland. The judge overseeing the case has not yet scheduled a sentencing date.
. . .
Vickers’ influence on the firearms industry was massive ... [his] expertise was much sought after by small arms manufacturers. He developed improvements, innovations and accessories for Wilson Combat, Aimpoint, GLOCK and most notably, Heckler & Koch. He helped the German firm with their redesign of the M16, which led to the HK416 – the rifle of choice for special operations units around the world ... Vickers was one of the country’s most successful firearms instructors ... he was one of the first Delta Force retirees to train civilians and law enforcement. His classes almost always sold out.
There's more at the link.
I'm sad for Mr. Vickers himself, of course. His record of service to his country, both in and out of uniform, has been exemplary. It's a tragedy that it's now been tarnished by his admitted involvement in criminal activity. Some will doubtless argue that his are "victimless crimes", paper transgressions rather than actually harming people; but the law doesn't recognize shades of gray in most such matters. It's strictly a black-or-white proposition.
I'm also sad for those of us who own, use and enjoy firearms and related fields. Mr. Vickers' plea will undoubtedly be used by those seeking to demonize and restrict firearms ownership. He's such a well-known figure that his fall from grace will inevitably impact the causes, individuals and companies with or for whom he worked. That's likely to impact us all in some way.
Almost everybody has feet of clay, but most of us manage to conceal that, more or less. Unfortunately, Mr. Vickers could not, and will now pay the price. He's already battling cancer, with what long-term success I don't know. The stress resulting from this indictment won't help that, either.
Peter
15 comments:
Amazingly the firearms charges are 5 years, violating sanctions against st Russia carries 20. Clown world. And he was working with cops on the deal- all quite strange.
So, another setup by the DOJ?
Mr. Vickers is innocent until proven guilty. This being federal, the plea was probably coerced, certainly is taking advantage of his health, and will deny him the opportunity to be exonerated by a jury of his peers.
I am disappointed in your comments, which seem to assume his guilt.
Scott B.
@Scott B.: Sadly, a guilty plea is, in law, the same as proof for the purposes of guilt and punishment. I have no idea whether his plea was coerced, but it has the same effect as a verdict delivered by a jury of his peers.
Speculation on whether his medical costs were a contributing factor to his need to generate more income. Not that it impacts his culpability.
Of course, having to fight an expensive legal battle wouldn't influence his taking a plea on top of that. Or would it?
And in prison, I suspect the authorities might now be on the hook for his future medical expenses.
Maybe this will all work out for him.
Ever since "the Case against Lieutenant General Michael Flynn" was (at least) partially exposed, I have come to believe absolutely nothing that arises in/from this administration.
Just a personal observation.
This guy is innocent, as any sort of importing and having machine guns is covered by the 2A. If the government isn't following its own law, that's on it. Citizens agreeing with the government that the Bill of Rights is a dead letter (law no longer being enforced) is most of the problem.
It's just amazing how almost anybody that starts becoming an effective figure on the Right suddenly winds up being guilty of something. Why it's almost like there's a weapon the government can weild more effective than a snipers bullet.
Oh well. Guess we can go on bemoaning our lot and complaining yet again that nothing conservative gets advanced. Darn the bad luck. Best not learn anything from it though.
Mr. Vickers mistake is being on the wrong side of the political equation. He's not part of the lefts untouchable squad. He's yet another victim of the two tiered legal system. Since his "crimes" involve firearms NONE of them are actually crimes as most of the laws he is alleged to have broken violate the Second Amendment.
He made his choices, and I'm pretty sure he 'knew' what he was doing.
Too bad for him that his last name isn't "biden".
They played the game and took their chances. Like Jim said, I’m pretty certain Larry knew what he was doing (and risking).
We're an 07 FFL. There's no way in Gods green earth we would attempt something like that. The first thing you need to realize as an FFL is, they're after you. You are target number ONE. I feel bad for the guy, but, what was he thinking?
The Federal prison system does not give two shits about inmate health care. If he has a relapse on a long sentence, he's dog meat....
I suggest that Mr. Vickers believed following the letter of the law was a safe harbor. Reading the filings I believe Mr. Vickers followed the letter of the law. I believe that the intent of the law in providing for law enforcement to express interest in seeing a machine as making the possession by the dealer legal meant an interest in buying but that's not the language. I believe we live in times when there is no safe harbor against the winds of public opinion.
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