Staff Reports
A Montana gun shop experienced a forceful raid carried out by armed agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The owner of Highwood Creek Outfitters, Tom Van Hoose, revealed that federal law enforcement agencies had been investigating his business for more than two years, without disclosing the reasons for their investigation. The officers arrived at the store just before opening time and seized 4473 forms, which are background check forms containing sensitive personal data of customers who purchased firearms from the store.
I wonder what they’ll do when they have 80,000+ more agents! https://t.co/8k2DZ2MMsT
— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) June 17, 2023
Although no financial information was confiscated by the IRS, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) expressed his outrage about the raid through a tweet. In a letter addressed to the leaders of the IRS and ATF, he stated, "The IRS violated the privacy of Montana's gun owners, and I am deeply disturbed by the agents' disregard for federal law. While there are still unclear details about the events at Highwood Creek Outfitters, there is no situation in which 4473 forms would be necessary for an IRS-led investigation." Van Hoose believes that the IRS's demand for these forms is an egregious abuse of federal power.
I met with Tom Vanhoose this morning after 20 armed IRS agents raided his store in Great Falls earlier this week.
Tom informed me that these agents confiscated all the 4473 forms, none of which contain any financial information; instead, the IRS now has access to these forms… pic.twitter.com/HPFEgZedKI— Matt Rosendale (@RepRosendale) June 16, 2023
Van Hoose suspects that the politically-driven investigation was triggered by the types of firearms his business sold, a concern raised by Rep. Rosendale as well. The current administration appears to be employing all available means to restrict access to firearms for law-abiding Americans, yet they fail to consider the consequences of their actions. This action is a violation of federal law and reminiscent of intimidation tactics employed by dictatorships to control their citizens.
Ironically, while ATF and IRS agents targeted Montana gun shops, states with strict gun control laws like New York and Chicago witnessed an increase in shootings. This incident exposes the hypocrisy and skewed priorities of the Biden administration and its supporters. It is crucial to put an end to these coercive measures and focus on finding effective ways to prevent criminals and mentally unstable individuals from accessing firearms, rather than resorting to unlawful raids on gun shops. By doing so, we can create a better and safer America.
