Officials unnerve some at gun show

[Tallinthesaddle]

I went to the gun show Saturday morning in Lubbock, TX and saw several people moving through the shoppers and sellers wearing tactical type uniforms (blue tactical style pants with a blue knit shirt with emblems). I steered clear of them and told my wife I don't know who sent them but it doesn't look good. Several people were milling around outside talking about it.
Today's paper revealed who they were.

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/043009 ... 5629.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have been to many gun, craft, and hobby shows and never seen these people there until now. Wonder if they will start going to garage sales, maybe even girl scout cookie sales??

[tfrazier]

If they weren't there to intimidate, why would they be wearing tactical type clothing? This is the type of thing you'd expect from the feds or the IRS, but the Texas State Comptroller's Office???

The law is the law, but a sign posting and covert spot checks would seem more appropriate...

And I, too, have been to many other types of shows, including woodworking and of course, Traders Village, Canton First Monday, and I've never seen these guys at any of them.

Does the State comptroller's office have local branch offices? Maybe they have a local official in the Lubbock area who thinks he's entitled to run a tactical squad?

[frazzled]

I have been to many gun, craft, and hobby shows and never seen these people there until now. Wonder if they will start going to garage sales, maybe even girl scout cookie sales??

You can take my girl scout cookies when you pry them from my cold, dead hands!

[ELB]

Wonder what an Open Records Act request for a year's worth of records of all such "event canvassing," especially for the Lubbock office, would reveal...

elb

[AEA]

Wonder if they are tracking down peeps who sell some things on eBay too?

And, I guess I will have to go back to all the peeps I have sold guns to in the last few years and get the sales tax from them so I can submit it.

So, Carlson1, SSG and a few others,........I'll be around to collect that sales tax soon!

[kd5zex]

From the Comptroller website:

1. Who is required to hold a Texas sales and use tax permit?
You must obtain a Texas sales and use tax permit if you are engaged in business in Texas and you:

* sell tangible personal property in Texas;
* lease tangible personal property in Texas; or
* sell taxable services in Texas.

Please see Rule 3.286 and publication 96-259 Taxable Services for more information.
The requirement to obtain a Texas sales and use tax permit applies to individuals as well as corporations, firms, partnerships, and all other legal entities.
2. What is tangible personal property?
The statutory definition for "tangible personal property" is "personal property that can be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched or that is perceptible to the senses." See Sec. 151.009.
3. What is engaged in business?
A person or a retailer is engaged in business in Texas if any of the following criteria are met:

* (A) maintains, occupies, or uses an office, place of distribution, sales or sample room, warehouse or storage place, or other place of business;
* (B) has any representative, agent, salesperson, canvasser, or solicitor who operates in this state under the authority of the seller to sell, deliver, or take orders for any taxable items;
* (C) promotes a flea market, trade day, or other event that involves sales of taxable items;
* (D) uses independent salespersons in direct sales of taxable items;
* (E) derives receipts from a rental or lease of tangible personal property that is located in this state;
* (F) allows a franchisee or licensee to operate under its trade name if the franchisee or licensee is required to collect Texas sales or use tax; or
* (G) conducts business in this state through employees, agents, or independent contractors.

I suppose the requirement to pay sales tax depends on the definition of "place of distribution" and "place of business"

[stevie_d_64]

"Everybody who came in with more than one gun was asked if they were planning to sell them," he said explaining how being questioned by government officials could have drawn people away from the show. " ... That might be a back door, Obama anti-gun thing."

But a spokesman for the Texas Comptroller's Office in Austin said canvassing events to make sure vendors have sales tax permits is a common tactic.

Allen Spelce said comptroller's officials often visit businesses, gun shows and other events where sales take place. If a vendor is found without a permit, they are asked to accept one of the permits, which can be issued on the scene at no cost to the individual or business receiving it.

"It's across the board - it's not just gun shows," he said.

Bullbutter!

[boomerang]

When do they start cracking down on people who sell more than two items a year on craigslist?

Or the local newspaper classifieds?

[Keith B]

When do they start cracking down on people who sell more than two items a year on craigslist?

Or the local newspaper classifieds?

Apparently that is the guideline for having to pay taxes. I bought a used balloon from an individual in Kentucky. The comptrollers office contacted me and wanted an affidavit stating the person didn't hold a tax ID hadn't sold more than 2 items in a year of ANY kind. If they did, then I was going to have to pay sales tax. They are getting it any where and any way they can.

[Purplehood]

"Everybody who came in with more than one gun was asked if they were planning to sell them,"

What did they say to the folks with more than one gun that answered that they did NOT plan to sell them?

[frazzled]

Or something along the lines of "thats none of your (insert colorful language and /or string of scatalogical references here) business!"

[HankB]

I would think that following them along with a video camera and - politely - asking for an interview would be a good counter-tactic.

As would posting the video on YouTube.

[Liberty]

Dunno whats worse vulturous tax collectors or the Nazi's at the shows. Both take the fun away from something that should be a fun place to go.

[Frost]

I need to get a sales tax permit to have a garage sale?

[AEA]

If you sell more than 2 items, then I guess so........