Feds: T.I. Tried to Buy Machine Guns, Silencers

Posted Oct 13th 2007 9:54PM by TMZ Staff

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) arrested rapper T.I. in Atlanta today on multiple weapons charges, after they say he had a bodyguard try to buy machine guns and silencers for him.

According to the Feds, T.I,, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was busted after they learned one of his bodyguards was allegedly trying to purchase machine guns for the musician. Authorities say the bodyguard admitted to purchasing about nine firearms for T.I. in the past and about 17 firearms for other people in the musician's posse on previous occasions. The bodyguard claims the rapper gave him cash to purchase the guns, because T.I., as a convicted felon, was not able to legally buy firearms. The bodyguard was arrested last week trying to buy several guns. After his arrest, the bodyguard agreed to cooperate with authorities -- that cooperation led to today's arrest.

Click here to read the complete statement from the Department of Justice.

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music

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(Page 5 of 12)Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. Nice post, The South -- way to debunk the sterotype you keep whining about.

Posted at 12:34AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Itza Minkman

62. His initials should be: ITS for "I'm Too Stupid"

Posted at 12:36AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Itza Minkman

63. Michael ConVick was gonna weigh in on the TI (Too Ignorant) issue, but he was busy electrocuting his parakeet.

Posted at 12:40AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Itza Minkman

64. Why didn't TI (Too Ignorant) just hire OJ (Prune Juice)?

Posted at 12:43AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Itza Minkman

65. TI (Total Idiot) will be playing the flesh trombone in the prison band

Posted at 12:46AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Itza Minkman

66. "Arrest Comes After Harris, a Convicted Felon, Accepted Delivery of Machine Guns and Silencers; Additional Guns Found In Harris' Vehicle and House" Good for the feds. I hope they nail his a**. What does a rapper/musician need with machine guns/firearms and silencers, whose also a convicted felon for anyway....maybe to shoot some critics who hurt his little feelings? I can see his defense strategy now: "But your honor, my body guard lied and the bogey-man put those things in my house and car....not me."

Violence has already been escalating in our country as is and there has been a lot of violence surrounding rap musicians, and now this.

Posted at 12:47AM on Oct 14th 2007 by SinCity

67. This goof had an assortment of weapons in his closet at home, as well as a loaded handgun under his car seat when the sting went down. Even if the machinme guns and silencers charge doesnt stick----they can still get his ass as a convicted felon possesing weapons and he will in fact do jail time.

Hate to see it happen, I mean the guy does seem like a decent person when not pretending through lyrics and a microphone. I guess some folk just get caught up in the whole image thing, which in his line of work includes weapons. His career might be put on hold for the next 10-20 years of both Federal and possible State Prison time.

I would imagine his name came to the Feds, ATF (the worst and most unforgiving of all law enforcement) through a bust they did on a different illegal weapons purchase and they gave up the bodyguard who gave up I.T. HOpe I.T. has somebody to snitch on, else he'll do the whole sentence. Course if he snitches, that presents a whole different scenario when he gets to the Big House.

Time to man up and do the time for doing the crime. Wasnt like he didnt know it was wrong. Just so sad Entertainers and Sports Stars these days seem to lose sight of what is important and end up doing really really stupid things that cost them dearly. Maybe they need new handlers and bodguards as they sure arent getting good advice.

Posted at 12:53AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Machine Gun Kelly

68. #81....he will do minimal time at worst.....I know one thing HE WILL NOT SNITCH, unlike some of you cowards.....and if he does go to jail that only enhances his street cred and earning power...you think he doesn't have a couple of albums worth of material saved up....can you say #1 on the Billboard charts???? Besides he will most likely get bail giving him even more time to make some hits

Posted at 1:00AM on Oct 14th 2007 by The South

69. Entertaining us in the news!

Posted at 1:00AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Ima Bitch

70. Muwahhhaaahaaa you are ignorant!

And you know who i'm talking about!

Posted at 1:05AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Ima Bitch

71. I'm sure his lawyers will pull the 'race card' or the 'My client had no knowledge of his bodyguards' purchases, and he must have put those guns in my clients closet and car. My client is innocent'-nonsense!! Put him in prison with O.J. & Vick and let the fight over who gets to be on top!

Posted at 1:08AM on Oct 14th 2007 by another dumbass rapper

72. he's still sexy :)

Posted at 1:10AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Bonita

73. It's all on tape - no defense to be had!

LMAO

Posted at 1:10AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Ima Bitch

74. It was entrapment you dumb b*tch

Posted at 1:11AM on Oct 14th 2007 by The South

75. so many haters in the world......there will NEVER be peace//our kids kids are doomed

Posted at 1:12AM on Oct 14th 2007 by Cannon

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