Industry Circular

Number: 80-12

Date: December 5, 1980

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Washington, D.C. 20226

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INFORMATION WANTED

To All Federal Firearm Licensees

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is asking all firearms dealers as well as the general public to assist in locating firearms bought or sold by Joseph Paul Franklin, also known as James Clayton Vaughn, Jr. Franklin has been arrested on charges that he violated Federal civil rights laws and the Gun Con- trol Act of 1968. He is suspected of involvement in a number of murders and shooting incidents throughout the United States, in which a variety of weapons were used.

Franklin, 30, a 6 ft., 200 lb., white male, having brown hair (may be dyed), and blue eyes, was born on April 13, 1950, in Mobile, Alabama. As shown in the accompanying photographs, Franklin has worn his hair in both long and, short styles. He has the following tattoos: eagle on the left forearm; initials "J.V." on left upper arm; skeleton and sickle on right forearm. He has noticeably weak vision in his left eye and must wear strong prescription glasses. He has been known to use the following aliases: James Clayton Vaughn, Jr., Joseph Hart, Joe Price, Charles Pitts, Joseph R. Hagman, William R. Jackson, Joe Dunn, Michael Larsen, Eddie Logan, Joseph Morrow Stewart, George William Stewart, Jr., Francis Nickles, Bill Bradley, Edward 0. Garland, Joseph R. Taylor, Joe Anderson, and Joseph Nickles.

ATF requests that you review your records and report any firearms, ammunition or other merchandise that you believe may have been purchased by or acquired from Franklin. It is particularly critical that ATF locate any 30-30, 30.06, .44 magnum or 35 caliber wea- pons which can be connected to Franklin. In addition, please post this circular in a prominent location so that members of the public may review its contents. Any information which may be developed should be reported to the nearest ATF office as soon as possible.

G. R. Dickerson