A prominent Atlanta gun store was robbed over the weekend, local media reports.
Chuck’s Firearms in Buckhead was the target. Store owner Jim Hinsdale said the security alarm notified local police almost right away about the break-in but due to the intense rioting and looting going on at other locations around the city law enforcement couldn’t respond in time to apprehend the suspects.
“They were here to take advantage of the opportunity of police not being able to be dispatched and address the normal crime,” explained Hinsdale.
The masked burglars took their time, too. Around 20 minutes from start to finish, they carefully selected which firearms they were going to take with them. No long guns — such as AR-15s — were lifted.
SEE ALSO: Americans of All Races Take Up Arms to Defend Against Violent Rioters, Looters
“All semi-automatic handguns, a couple of revolvers. One was $4,200 dollars, some were in the $5 or $600 range,” said Hinsdale, noting that 42 guns in total were stolen.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now investigating the matter. ATF has released photos of the four men, though due to the face coverings (medical masks and Halloween-style masks) identifying the suspects may be difficult.
ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the individuals involved. That offer is being matched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry trade association, for a total of $10,000.
“The theft of these guns is extremely disturbing,” said Mark Oliva, NSSF Director of Public Affairs in an email to GunsAmerica. “The criminals stealing these firearms aren’t trying to feed their families. They’re using these guns to commit violent crimes and prey upon the most vulnerable in their communities.”
Oliva said that the NSSF has partnered with the ATF to match reward offers to bring gun thieves to justice since the violence erupted in cities around the country. Additionally, NSSF has worked with the ATF to help FFLs prepare their storefronts for the current crisis.
“The ATF and NSSF both issued alerts to firearm retailers over the weekend to take all prudent precautions to secure inventory and records in the face of a threat of civil unrest that might leave them vulnerable to looting,” explained Oliva. “NSSF, in partnership with the ATF, offers all firearm retailers resources to boost security to deter these crimes. We are committed to working with the ATF and local law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice.”
As for Mr. Hinsdale, while he is upset about the burglary to his store and the loss of inventory, his real worry is where these guns might end up if they’re not recovered soon.
“The biggest disappointment is that the guns are on the street. Hopefully, no one will get hurt,” he said.
Any information on a followup? It’s been two years.
Mr. Hinsdale is lucky he is NOT in Oregon. Here the government would hold him responsible for the crimes committed with those stolen guns.
I bet there are enough Veterans that would be willing to stand guard if I could shoot the bastards. I know this Viet Nam vet would.
What kind of pistol costs 5 dollars whhaaatt!
A used Jennings or Raven…it’s the easiest way to get that junk off your books.
Absolutely 100% agree with ya there Bill.
I would have been living in there since this started. How can you NOT have the mindset that that might occur…??…
So NOW their are 42 FORTY TWO Pistols out there….Let the body count start…!
disappointed in the gun store owner. if i had any kind of business i figured looked “appetizing” to the bastard looters, i would find a way to guard it. professional security, alternating employees, i would have a couple of armed, licensed protectors of my goods in my store behind the bars and metal gates. i would probably be there as well. wondering where the owner was when they broke in and stole his guns.
Lots of protests in Buckhead. If it were me I would have put every firearm in the safes and stayed at my store. Not blaming him, scum commited this burglary. During the 2 different riots in the Miami area we guarded our business day and night. They knew we were there and we suffered no losses. Businesses nearby were looted and burned but not ours.
Maybe they should have called the Chicago mayor.
Guess all those serial numbers will come in handy.
What, the police couldn’t get there in time? Our dumb ass L.A.County Sheriff said that all you had to do was call, and they would be there in “seconds”(snapping his finger)! This what happens when we the people are finegled with lies and liberal jack ass officials get voted in. Then we get nothing but excuses why our community is crime ridden, and the communist leaders shout gun control as there resolution to the crimes being committed by criminals, not law abiding citizens!
I have been there a couple of times when passing through Atlanta. There were several rare and irreplaceable historical pieces in that store.
Where are the comments about thugs and gang bangers.
Nice attempt to stir the racial pot K.D. I don’t care what race they are, I just want them caught and hope they never see the light of day again. They can be white and be thugs and gang bangers, they’re still trash. I suspect you are too.
You are an idiot.
The shop owner required have gun vault and bulletproof display case (lexan plastic 1 1/2inch thick ) will not able broken by heavy hammer or shoot at case.
Please furnish a link to the federal or appropriate Georgia state law.
Wow that’s remarkable they had so much time to finish that robbery & escape!
We had a local gun range robbed here in the Dallas area during all the protests last weekend, but these boys were only inside the business for like 2 minutes. They still made off with more than 40 guns, but the authorities already caught 2 of these 3 kids just yesterday…
https://www.fox4news.com/news/trackdown-2-arrests-made-in-dallas-gun-range-burglary-3rd-suspect-still-sought
Wow, who would have thought people would break into a gun shop during a riot?
How many other rioting/looting events really rate higher than that of a gun store such that a couple of units were not dispatched?