Break-ins to gun stores is on the increase. Employees at a Mt. Juliet dealer discovered that they were the latest victim when opening on Wednesday morning (6/14/2017).
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tells NewsRadio WGNS that KRB Firearms II at 1730 N. Mt. Juliet Road, in Mt. Juliet, was burglarized and approximately 16 handguns were reported stolen. ATF industry operations investigators are in the process of conducting an inventory to determine the exact number of firearms stolen.
In addition to this burglary in neighboring Mt. Juliet, on Saturday, May 20, 2017, Specialty Arms, 184 Old Nashville Highway, La Vergne, was burglarized and approximately 39 firearms were reported taken.
Another recent burglary took place at The Tactical Edge Gun Store at 1925 Fort Campbell Boulevard in Clarksville. The alarm went off there at 11:18 Friday evening, June 9, 2017. The Clarksville Police learned that 45 firearms were reportedly taken.
That means that in a 5-week window, approximately 100 firearms have been stolen from mid-state retailers.
ATF Special Agent Michael Knight told WGNS, "The incidents don't seem to be connected, but the end result may be to a similar criminal organization that has ties across the country."
ATF records show that stolen firearms often times are used in crimes locally and then traded, sold or transported to other parts of the country for a criminal intent.
He noted, "Thefts from Federal Firearm Licensee's (retail gun stores) have increased over the past year as well as the number of firearms stolen per incident. There is also an increase in stolen firearms from residences, vehicles, places of business."
ATF is offering a reward in the amount of up to $2,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $5,000. This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF's reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers. ATF works closely with members of the firearm industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact the ATF at (800) ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867), the Mt. Juliet Police Department tip-line (615) 754-8477 or online at www.mjpd.org to submit tips anonymously. Information also can be sent to ATF via the mobile app www.reportit.com by using the Nashville field division as the location.
ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes, and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.
