It Begins: Twenty Heavily Armed IRS and ATF Agents Raid Great Falls Gun Store, Seize Firearm Purchase Records

In an unprecedented move, twenty armed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents carried out a raid on a gun store in Great Falls, Montana, seizing all Form 4473s—documents that record buyer’s information during firearms transactions.

This from survivethenews.com.

KRTV reported:

Tom Van Hoose, owner of Highwood Creek Outfitters, stated he has been under constant surveillance by state and federal agencies for over two years.

On Wednesday, the gun shop owner reported an unexpected visit from 20 heavily armed IRS agents at his store.

The agents reportedly arrived at the shop early in the morning, as Van Hoose was opening for the day.

KMON Radio reported:

We have now confirmed that both the IRS and the ATF were at Highwood Creek Outfitters in Great Falls around 7 am this morning. Both the IRS and ATF would not say why they were there.

The news outlet added:

A spokeswoman for the IRS would only say they were there on official IRS business. The ATF says it was providing assistance to the IRS. We attempted to enter the store today and were stopped by agents at the door who would only say that the gun store is closed and will reopen tomorrow.

According to Van Hoose:

[T]he federal scrutiny began two years ago and has involved various agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and now, the Internal Revenue Service.

Van Hoose told MTN News:

They must think we’re making a fortune in the gun business to investigate us like this, assuming we’re hiding thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. However, anyone familiar with gun business profit margins would know that’s not the case.

Van Hoose claims that he was simply told his business had been reported, although he remains in the dark about who reported it or why. He conjectures that the whole episode is politically motivated, part of a nationwide pattern.

Van Hoose said:

I can only assume that it’s because of the style of weapons that we have and the press that’s so against them.

The current administration seems to be hell bent on getting those guns out of the hands of average Americans.

While he admitted that the agents were professional in their conduct, Van Hoose couldn’t help but feel violated. The day’s operations were disrupted, leading to a significant loss of revenue.

Van Hoose said:

I had about 30 minutes to operate, making just a single $16 sale.

Highwood Creek Outfitters is America’s largest online firearms and accessories mall, according to its website. The store is known for selling what Van Hoose calls “fun guns,” including AR-15’s and AK-47s. He believes that the type of weapons they offer results in greater scrutiny due to the licensing requirements associated with such firearms.

Despite this, Van Hoose emphasizes his good relationship with the ATF, which was also present during the IRS visit.

He added:

We are known for meticulous adherence to laws and regulations. It’s not worth getting into trouble.

The Great Falls Police Department confirmed it was informed about the investigation and provided security.

Although the Montana Department of Justice claimed no involvement in the incident, an IRS spokesperson confirmed their presence at Highwood Creek Outfitters but refrained from providing further details.

The recent incident has attracted political attention, with Congressman Matt Rosendale expressing his concern over the IRS and ATF’s actions, interpreting them:

[A]s another example of the [Obiden Regime’s] weaponization of federal agencies against hardworking Americans.

In a statement, Rep Rosendale said:

I’m incredibly disturbed by initial reports that the IRS and ATF closed Highwood Creek Outfitters without any warning today.

He added:

We cannot allow [The Obiden Regime] to continue expanding these agencies to infringe on our liberties.

On Friday afternoon, the congressman announced he sent a letter to ATF Director Steven Dettelbach and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel, asking for answers.

Rosendale said in his letter:

Under Director Dettelbach’s leadership of the ATF, a pattern of intimidation and harassment against hardworking Americans has emerged—Montanans will not tolerate these political witch hunts. I remind both Director Dettelbach and Commissioner Werfel that Congress has the power of the purse, and I will ensure that funding for these agencies is not weaponized against the American people.

Click HERE to read the full letter.

Rep. Matt Rosendale joined Chris Salcedo to discuss the incident.

Rosendale said:

Here’s what they took out. IRS—financial records, accounting, making sure what transactions were taking place. No, they took all of the 4473 forms. The 4473 forms are what everyone fills out when they go to purchase a firearm.

And it’s just a big disclosure to make sure that you don’t have a criminal background or other reasons where you should not be purchasing a firearm. So the IRS took every single one of the 4473s that Tom Van Hoose had in his possession there at Highwood Creek Outfitters.

Final thoughts: Harassment or Clampdown? What next?

And will We the People be ready for those 87K IRS agents?

This first ‘Big One’ was a surprise, the next one is expected.