If the Cartel are using weapons and ammunition illegally bought from shops in which the ATF authorized illegal sales, then yes, the blood is on the ATF's hands. There is no way that the blame can be placed, or for that matter, reduced by any degree, anywhere else but on the ATF. Oh, I dunno, how about placing the blame on the killers? This. Off topic a bit, but I was watching CNN last night, and they kept blaming the pastor who burnt the Koran for the attack on the UN compound, as if he did it himself. Not sure where you're getting the 10k for an AK in the states though. Depending on the state, you can get a Eastern European one for less than 1k legally. Authentic Russian ones may run you a bit more, but they aren't that expensive. AKs are really expensive in North America due to high smuggling costs and really stiff penalties (both in Mexico and the US) so $10k is about right. Anywhere east of Poland, you can buy AKs for around hundred bucks, same as in North Eastern Africa and The Middle East. And as long as they aren't made in South East Asia or South America, an AK is an AK so don't bother paying for one that is Russian made.