Talk:Knock and talk

Talk

It seems that the neutrality of this artuicle may be off because of the one-sided quote that it contains.

The phrase in this article about Knock and Talk being open to abuse seem to constitute weasel words under the guideline as it is not evidenced by a reference as to who considers it open to abuse. Mark Sharman (talk) 23:07, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

I've shifted the tone to a more neutral view. Technician Fry (talk) 13:31, 18 June 2014 (UTC)

seems like "knock and talk" depends on agency

ATF "Knock and Talk" of suspected straw purchasers of firearms appeared based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause without necessarily resulting in a search, seizure or arrest; agents used it as a tactic to discourage straw purchase.

"A Review of ATF’s Operation Fast and Furious and Related Matters", Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Sept 2012.

Page 37: "A 'knock and talk' occurs where an agent has reasonable suspicion to believe an individual is a straw purchaser engaged in firearms trafficking and approaches the individual to ask about the firearms that were purchased."

Page 138: "Most ATF agents we interviewed took the position that an agent who has probable cause to believe an individual is a straw purchaser engaged in firearms trafficking is duty bound to promptly seize the guns bought by that individual, even if the purchaser is not arrested at the time of the seizure. These agents also told us that this technique is effective in stopping gun trafficking, partly because straw purchasers do not have criminal records and are often willing to cooperate with law enforcement by identifying other individuals involved in the trafficking or by working as an informant in order to avoid being criminally prosecuted. Further, these agents told us that in situations where an agent has only reasonable suspicion to believe an individual is a straw purchaser engaged in firearms trafficking, rather than probable cause to arrest or to seize the firearm, the agent should approach the individual and ask about the firearms that were purchased. This tactic is commonly referred to as “knock and talk.” According to these agents, even if the individual does not admit to straw purchasing, the individual is less likely to make straw purchases again if there is reason to believe that law enforcement is aware of the activity."

(As an aside, the "gun walking" scandal was that agents were ordered not to "knock and talk" and seize guns even when identified straw purchasers dropped guns off at addressses other than their residence under Operation Wide Receiver (2006-2007) in Tucson AZ and Operation Fast & Furious (2009-2011) in Phoenix, AZ.)

-- Naaman Brown (talk) 16:03, 12 August 2018 (UTC)