As a part of a Valentine’s Day Promotion, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) known as for People to show of their former (and even present) companions. On Monday morning, the company took to social media and inspired individuals to share any details about others who might have been concerned in unlawful gun exercise.

“Valentine’s Day can nonetheless be enjoyable even in case you broke up. Do you will have details about a former (or present) companion concerned in unlawful gun exercise? Tell us, and we are going to make certain it is a Valentine’s Day to recollect! Name 1-888-ATF-TIPS or e-mail [email protected],” the ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) tweeted.

That message was retweeted by the Division of Justice, and comes because the Biden administration has known as for elevated gun management measures to scale back crime nationwide.

By Monday afternoon, the tweet had almost 4,500 likes and was retweeted greater than 1,800 occasions. Nonetheless, the response might not have been completely what the company had in thoughts.

Little Love on Valentine’s Day

An ATF spokesperson told Fox News that the tweet was merely a name to encourage residents to report suspicious gun-related actions. But, even whereas it was meant to be gentle hearted and poked enjoyable, many on social media discovered little humor in it, and there have been those that steered it was un-American to “rat out” former companions.

Some went even additional and evoked the 1993 Waco standoff, in addition to the notorious Operation Quick & Livid.

Spike Cohen (@RealSpikeCohen), former Libertarian Occasion VP candidate, tweeted, “Hello sure, I would wish to report somebody who set a whole compound full of kids and their mother and father on fireplace, and shot anybody who escaped. Then they went and trafficked weapons to Mexican cartels, who used these weapons to kill harmless People and Mexicans. They need to be disbanded.”

“This Valentine’s Day, the ATF desires you to know that in case you’re mad at your ex(es), you may have them assassinated on tax payers’ dime,” wrote the Libertarian Occasion of New York (@lpnyofficial).

The Blaze contributor Jessica O’Donnell (@heckyessica) tweeted, “seems to be just like the ATF goes full ATF immediately.”

Just a few on Twitter steered the tweet may violate Twitter’s phrases of service, whereas nonetheless others warned that it may encourage false reporting by disgruntled exes.

Political activist Beth Baumman (@eb454) wrote, “Oh, look. The ATF is giving us a PERFECT instance of what is mistaken with crimson flag legal guidelines. Nothing says Pleased Valentines Day like having an ex SWATed simply because you may’t stand them.”

“That is mainly an invite to SWAT an ex you do not like. So extremely harmful,” posted the official account for the Younger People for Liberty (@YALiberty).

Congressional candidate for the California’s twenty eighth district Beatrice Cardenas (@RealBetyCardens) provided, “That is very slimy of you guys to attempt to twist at the present time on your personal profit by encouraging individuals to activate each other.”

Media contributor Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) tweeted, “In case you do not actually just like the #ValentinesDay Hallmark card, sweet, jewellery or floral bouquet out of your boyfriend, why not punish him with the present of a no knock search warrant of his residence, courtesy of the US authorities. Name: 1-800-ARREST-MY-BOYFRIEND. ATF brokers are standing by.”

Such responses had been doubtless not what the ATF anticipated, however this ought to be a reminder that even when poking enjoyable, it may be all too straightforward to have the viewers activate you on social media.