Police, ATF Tracking Down SHOT Show Thefts
by Dave Workman
Senior Editor
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Las Vegas Metro Police Department detectives were continuing to investigate the theft of approximately 30 non-functioning display firearms from this year’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show as Gun Week went to press.
It was the largest scale theft in SHOT Show memory—thefts from the show are so rare that only one person could specifically recall a prior incident—and quite possibly the dumbest according to various sources because every one of the firearms taken was inoperable—some were even prototypes for which parts would not be available. None of the stolen guns had firing pins, and a few were reportedly missing other key components. All SHOT Show display guns must be somehow deactivated while on exhibit, and there is a staff of safety examiners to be sure that rule is followed by everyone.
As such, noted one law enforcement official on condition of anonymity, if any of those firearms were to be carried by someone during the commission of a crime, and the perpetrator tried to fire the gun, he would definitely be the loser.
One other police official called it “a combination of greed and stupidity.”
At least two exhibitors told Gun Week that they were waiting for what they felt would be the inevitable telephone call from someone seeking to purchase replacement parts or firing pins from the stolen guns. All it would take would be for the manufacturer to ask for the serial number of the gun, and instead of sending a part, they would send the police.
One gun company executive who lost no guns this year recalled to Gun Week that his firm lost four firearms from the show in New Orleans, and they were all recovered—and arrests made—within about two weeks when the thieves contacted the company for replacement firing pins.
Gun Week has confirmed that at least 27 firearms—mostly handgun display models—were taken over the course of three nights, apparently despite stepped-up security. Seventeen display guns were taken from Armscor (Arms Corporation of the Philippines), four from the Sturm Ruger exhibit, one from the Kimber law enforcement display, three from North American Arms (NAA), one from Lew Horton Distributors, and another from Feather USA. There were unconfirmed reports of at least three other firearms having been stolen.
The initial investigation, Gun Week learned, has been aimed at recovering all the stolen firearms and rounding up all those involved.
Because ATF traditionally has a booth at the 27-year-old event, agents were immediately on the scene, cooperating with Las Vegas police.
Martin Tuason, president of Armscor’s American operation, told Gun Week that his company’s display was also vandalized during the theft. Repairs were quickly made, and substitute display models were brought in. Tuason was devastated at the loss, and other vendors were equally upset.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, which sponsors the annual show, and Reed Expositions, which produces and manages the event, immediately cooperated with authorities in the investigation.
The largest theft occurred on the second night of the four-day show which ran from Jan. 28-31, when as many as 23 of the missing guns were taken, Gun Week was able to ascertain after speaking with various exhibitors. On the first night, according to sources interviews by Gun Week, three firearms were taken, and the Feather USA gun was taken on the third night.
Michael Horton from Lew Horton said the gun taken from their exhibit was a Smith & Wesson revolver, while NAA’s Ken Friel said two small semi-auto pistols and one mini-revolver were taken.
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