Another One Bites the Dust

[870TC]

20mm, Information was directly from 2 dealers, one who was put in the same position as Harts and made the same choice.
BigBlue on the caliber violations, they pulled guns off the shelf at random and compared to what was written in the bound ledger. I was told this is common practice to make sure all guns in the book or are identified somehow, inventoried guns, repair guns, personal guns etc

[Tronster]

Geez this thread turned ugly fast. I only went there once to buy a Ruger they had on super sale, but it looked to be a nice well stocked gun shop, and all the staff were friendly. Wished they were closer to Rochester. Unfortunately now the staff will need to find other employment. As far as ATF who knows maybe they got the one arrogant sob out of the bunch that makes everyone elses life hell and is on a power trip.

Anyway, maybe I can get out there again and find something in his stock for a great deal before he closes for good.

[goda0301]

This seems a little fishy to me... It sounds more like acquisition and disposition (taken trade-ins and keeping them off the books etc.) I know a very small FFL that got his license in 1991 and that just had ATF ( women agent) out to his place on 2-14-13 for the very first time EVER. He had nothing bad to say about it what so ever. If Harts issues were small discrepancies with names James but wrote Jim, don't you think they would of being screaming that from the roof tops! The small FFL that I know he has it to get deals for family and friends. Only buys around 30-50 guns a year. From what I have heard the AFT was trying to muscle out the small time FFL guys.

sidenote:

My dads best friend from high school had AFT and FBI show up several days after 9-11-01 and wanted to see all his paperwork. This was in the middle of now where in North Dakota 10 miles from the closest town. This guy owns 36 sections of land and has more guns than anyone I know, he laughed and just handed it over... He only had it for himself and close friends. Not sure why they were so worried about some old farmer, but it goes to show you that they go where the feel the biggest threat is first. (they were there for 3 days didn't take a single weapon when they left) the guy owns several thousand firearms of all type of calibers. his passion is vintage Ruger .22 cal revolvers star stamp with Extremely low serial numbers, he has hundreds with some as low as #6

why doesn't Hart open up in 90 days with his wife or family members name under the new FFL, no different then what Red Jacket did.

[Rmfcasey]

It seems to me that if Harts had actually committed a crime there would be a good reason for this .I believe the ATF just made it to expensive to fight them .They have unlimited funds and the poor dealer will have to cave or lose everything.This is the sad reality of the bureaucratic government we life under. Welcome to Hope and Change!!!

[St. Olaf]

I think if the Hart's had done anything that was serious and clearly intentional......the license would have been quickly pulled without contest.

I think the ATF is making things so complex that they can take licenses easily based on small stuff because the dealer will run out of money.

I also think it's cowardly and stupid to attack the Harts here when they could be totally innocent victims.

[xd ED]

I think if the Hart's had done anything that was serious and clearly intentional......the license would have been quickly pulled without contest.

I think the ATF is making things so complex that they can take licenses easily based on small stuff because the dealer will run out of money.

I also think it's cowardly and stupid to attack the Harts here when they could be totally innocent victims.

Reading the news, I am struck by the fact that this was the highest volume gun dealer in the state... makes a nice 'trophy' for someone....

[grousemaster]

I think if the Hart's had done anything that was serious and clearly intentional......the license would have been quickly pulled without contest.

I think the ATF is making things so complex that they can take licenses easily based on small stuff because the dealer will run out of money.

I also think it's cowardly and stupid to attack the Harts here when they could be totally innocent victims.

Cowardly and stupid are the definition of most of your posts. This one seems to be an exception.

[JustMe]

Might it be related to the circumstances that they sold firearms (legally and unknowingly as far as I know) to a person that was a gun trafficker a few years ago?

http://www.startribune.com/investigator ... ml?refer=y

Part 1: From southern Minnesota to Mexico
Article by: JAMES WALSH , Star Tribune
In small-town Minnesota, folks knew him as the ex-bullfighter who was a family man, a soccer dad. What they didn't know was that he was buying firearms here and smuggling them into Mexico.

Cabela's in Owatonna and Hart Bros. Weaponry in Albert Lea were where he purchased the firearms. Cabelas's has deep pockets and good PR. I don't think that Hart Bros. pockets are as deep or that their name is as widespread.


Shop that sold gun to Newtown mom loses license
http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2988060.shtml?cat=1
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN | Associated Press –
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A shop that sold a gun to the Newtown school shooter's mother has lost its federal firearms license.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revoked the license of Riverview Gun Sales in East Windsor in December. The agency, which confirmed the revocation to reporters Thursday, didn't say why.

I wonder if the BATFE uses the crimes as reason for detailed inspections and then start looking for enough errors or problems (real or not)to make the business owner(s) throw in the towel.

[Collector1337420]

Good riddance to them. Nobody needs an FFL dealer who can't follow the law or keep proper records like they're supposed to.

What a farce.

I can't believe you are sticking up for the evil ATF.

Shameful.