Reality Show Gun Shop May Have Been Selling Guns Illegally
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - A gun store remained closed Wednesday following a federal raid Tuesday in Wheat Ridge.
Although authorities have not revealed the purpose of the raid, except that it was tied to an earlier investigation, CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger learned the shop may have been selling guns illegally.
Sallinger learned that federal agents raided Gunsmoke, located at 9690 West 44th Avenue, to find out if the shop has been illegally selling guns without a federal firearms license. Copter4 flew over the business on Tuesday afternoon where the parking lot had been cordoned off by yellow tape. Agents could be seen pulling out boxes filled with guns.
The ATF said they were following up on a warrant from the 2013 investigation, but wouldn't say what the exact purpose of their investigation was.
The gun shop was burglarized in February of 2013. Several pistols and rifles were stolen after burglars gained access to the building through the roof.
The IRS began investigating Gunsmoke shortly after the burglary and conducted a similar raid in March of 2013. Gunsmoke voluntarily surrendered it's federal firearms license following that raid but remained open for business. Sources told CBS4 that transactions were being conducted through another gun shop.
RELATED: IRS Agents Raid Gun Shop In Wheat Ridge
The manager and operator of Gunsmoke, Rich Wyatt, appeared at the shop early Wednesday and briefed staff members. He declined to make a comment to CBS4.
Gunsmoke had been featured in the canceled reality show "American Guns."
