IRS Raids Montana Gun Shop to Seize Gun Owner Info?

in 2nd Amendment – R2KBA, Current Events, This Week

Last week, a sudden raid by IRS agents on a Great Falls, Montana, gun shop created a stir.

Gun Owners of America (GOA) swiftly responded, expressing profound concern about the federal government’s seizure of firearm transaction records.

Notably, the agents took possession of ATF Form 4473s from the store, a document holding critical personal data of firearm purchasers, including their purchased firearms’ serial numbers.

The warrant allegedly sought only financial records, not Form 4473, provoking a backlash from the GOA.

According to the GOA, this unexpected act compounds the concern surrounding some 1 billion records that the ATF already holds. These records are being digitized into a searchable database, a move that the GOA claims is in stark violation of existing laws.

SEE ALSO: Republican Congressman Introduces Bill to Block ATF’s Backdoor Gun Registry 

Tom Van Hoose, the owner of Highwood Creek Outfitters.
“I can only assume that it’s because of the style of weapons that we have and the press that’s so against them,” Van Hoose told 3KRTV. “The current administration seems to be hell-bent on getting those guns out of the hands of average Americans.” (Photo: 3KRTV)

Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of GOA, said, “This was an incredibly alarming incident to hear about – especially given the checkered past of the IRS targeting conservatives – and Congressman Matt Rosendale of Montana deserves credit for helping to bring the details about this raid to light.”

“This continued weaponization by the Biden Administration of federal agencies to go after their political opponents once again underscores the dire need for Congress to act, including by defunding the ATF and demanding answers from the IRS,” he added. 

Former police officer and Florida State Director of GOA, Luis Valdes, pointed out that the raid seemed to be a calculated move.

“This raid was clearly a show of force meant to send a message to gun owners and those who oppose the tyrannical anti-gun agenda of this administration. ” Valdes remarked.

He added that the raid’s scope suggested potentially sinister motives behind the form seizures.

Valdes warned, “People need to understand this administration intends to go after you if you oppose their agenda, and demand their elected representatives push back.”

Congressman Rosendale’s Questions for the Biden Administration

  • What was the purpose of entering and closing Highwood Creek Outfitters?
  • What evidence did the ATF and IRS have prior to arriving at Highwood Creek Outfitters and how
    was this evidence collected?
  • Does ATF or IRS have any other plans to conduct similar activities at other firearms related
    businesses in Montana?
  • Why did the ATF and IRS believe such a large armed police presence was necessary?
  • Has the Biden Administration expressed support for increasing in-person agency activities at
    firearms-related businesses?
  • How much have the ATF and IRS spent to conduct similar activities at firearms-related
    businesses?
  • Why did the IRS take Highwood Creek Outfitters 4473s and what does the IRS intend to do with
    them?
  • Do the ATF and IRS believe it was within the legal rights of the IRS to take Highwood Creek
    Outfitter’s 4437’s

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  • John Evans September 5, 2023, 12:20 pm

    We are in dangerous and perilous times in our nation’s history. Our forefathers knew the dangers of citizens being disarmed and being trampled underfoot of dictators and made provisions to safeguard our Freedoms from tyranny. I am afraid that anything short of storming our Capital and ACTUALLY pursuing a take back of our government will fail and that our country will be lost. These are events that will destroy life in America as we know it. Everything is backwards and upside-down at the moment and I fear it is only going to get much worse long before it gets better. We need our Higher Power to return and intervene. Good luck to my fellow patriotic countrymen.

  • James McMurray June 23, 2023, 11:48 am

    The single most reliable way for an FFL to be audited or raided is for them not to comply with a gun trace request from the ATF! Period! As an FFL you agree to comply with these requests in a reasonable amount of time.

  • Big Al 45 June 23, 2023, 10:24 am

    As a former gun salesman and keeper of the records, I was told by an ATF Agent that ONLY the ATF may possess the 4473’s outside of the licensed FFL holder.
    We had an incident where the FBI tried to take specific 4473’s and the ATF guy was called, he gave the FBI boys an earful, making it clear that even a warrant did NOT grant them access to 4473’s.
    He made it clear that 4473’s were the exclusive purview of the ATF, and the FFL holder while under license.

  • TERRY June 23, 2023, 8:31 am

    Their comments to these questions are that we can’t comment on an ongoing investigation…Totally unacceptable.

  • Alex June 23, 2023, 7:02 am

    Ask all you want, this administration will not answer to anyone. Congress must shut it down along with irs and atf.

  • paul I'll call you what I want/1st Amendment June 20, 2023, 11:22 am

    top 5 reasons for the raid
    refused to sell hunter a gun
    targets leaned right
    an m4 had a bayonet lug on it
    #8 shot not serialized
    wore a maga hat

    • John Evans September 5, 2023, 12:30 pm

      These tyrants don’t need or care about “reasons”. They don’t care about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Rule of Law, or doing anything right. I seriously believe that they are serving only Evil and Darkness. We American Patriots must be the Light that illuminates this darkness or we will surely fall. Where do we sign up at?

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