Guns El Chapo’s Fast & Furious Fifty Cal Recoil Staff March 16, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. This isn't by any means breaking news, but the New York Post ran a reminder today of one of the most spectacular anti-gun efforts ever bungled by opponents of the Second Amendment: the so-called “Fast and Furious” operation. If you hadn't already heard, one of the weapons impounded by Mexican security forces when they captured Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was a fifty-cal (.50) linked to the failed BATFE effort (which also resulted in the 2010 murder of USBP Agent Brian Terry). The .50 was one of 19 firearms recovered from Mazatlan, where Guzman was taken. Four other weapons connected to Fast and Furious were located about a week before El Chapo's capture during a raid on a hideout in Culiacan, during which the narco-leader narrowly escaped. The Fast & Furious Fifty Cal was just one of 34 such weapons released by the BATFE during Operation Fast and Furious. As of January the BATFE has reportedly recovered 885 weapons purchased by targets of the operation, many of which were tied to violent crimes. Back in March Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik wrote the following to U.S. congressional leaders. “ATF and the department deeply regret that firearms associated with Operation Fast and Furious have been used by criminals in the commission of violent crimes, particularly crimes resulting in the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officials.” Kadzik is the head of the legislative affairs office of the the Justice Department. Read more on the New York Post here. News of this particular rifle and its connection to El Chapo first began to make the news cycle back in January. Photo above courtesy the Washington Times (AP/Alex Brandon). Tom Diaz, senior policy analyst, Violence Policy Center, right, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 12, 2009, before the House National Security and Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on U.S.-Mexico border violence with a .50 caliber rifle in the foreground. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
