ATF Makes Historically Significant Bonnie and Clyde "Squat" Gun Federally Compliant
Boston, Mass. — The Manchester, New Hampshire Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has made the infamous Bonnie and Clyde "squat" gun, strapped to Bonnie Parker's thigh after she and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and killed by law enforcement officers in 1934, federally compliant. The "squat" gun, which was recovered from Parker's body by Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer, had the serial numbers removed. ATF issued an ATF supplied serial number to the Colt .38 caliber Detective's Special revolver.
The Amherst, New Hampshire auction house RR Auction received the gun in the summer of 2012 from a private collector and noticed that the revolver's serial numbers had been obliterated and immediately contacted ATF for assistance. Special Agents from the ATF Manchester Office examined the revolver and contacted the ATF Firearms Technology Branch, ATF's technical authority for firearms and their determination under federal laws. The Firearms Technology Branch was able to determine that the Parker revolver was originally manufactured with serial numbers, thereby making the revolver non-complaint under federal law.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 requires firearm manufacturers to place serial numbers on firearms and made firearms with removed, obliterated or altered serial numbers illegal to possess.
ATF Special Agents were able to obtain an ATF-issued serial number for RR Auction, which then stamped the serial number onto the revolver's receiver making the firearm federally compliant. The auction is scheduled for Sept. 30. RR Auction will donate the proceeds from a Sept. 28 open house to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
"ATF understands the importance of this historically significant firearm. We are pleased we were able to work in partnership with RR Auction to make the gun legally compliant." said Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.
ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating violent crime and firearm trafficking violations. It is ATF's unique mission to both regulate the firearms industry and to investigate violent criminal acts involving firearms.
ATF approaches its mandate to fight violent crime through an integrated strategy. This strategy combines traditional enforcement efforts, such as preventing prohibited possessors from obtaining firearms, halting illegal weapons transfers, and addressing illegal sources, with technological and intelligence efforts. In order to accomplish this, ATF collaborates with federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies, works with communities to prevent violence, and partners with members of the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFLs) community to prevent prohibited persons from obtaining firearms.
More information on ATF can be found at: www.atf.gov.
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