Gunsmoke Store Raided in Colorado
Update — Rich Wyatt Arrested for Theft
Rich Wyatt, owner of the Gunsmoke gunshop, was arrested Friday, April 10, 2015. He turned himself into the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office after being charged with felony “theft from at ‘at-risk’ adult”. This charge stemmed from alleged conversion of property from an individual who had consigned guns with Wyatt. According to CBS 4 Denver, “The victim in the case had consigned a rare and antique gun collection with Wyatt in 2013. Repeated efforts by the victim at recovering the weapons had failed.”
READ CBS Story about Rich Wyatt Arrest in Colorado.
Gunsmoke, the Wheat Ridge, Colorado firearms emporium featured on the Discovery Channel’s reality TV show American Guns, has been raided by the Feds. ATF and IRS agents swooped into the Gunsmoke shop last week, culminating an investigation into alleged improper gun transactions. Firearms were seized from Gunsmoke’s inventory and carted away in federal vans.
Run by Rich Wyatt and his wife Renee, Gunsmoke earned notoriety for Rich’s salesmanship and the revealing clothing worn by his wife and his daughter. The show highlighted Rich’s ability to sell firearms for what were often shockingly high prices. There was one problem though… Wyatt had voluntarily surrended his FFL some time ago. Consequently, Gunsmoke’s firearms transfers were being conducted through a third party. Apparently the Feds did not like the arrangement.
Those who have watched the Wyatts on the Discovery Channel may not be surprised by this outcome. It seemed like Rich Wyatt’s signature talent was selling guns at outrageously inflated prices (if the sales price quoted on the show are to be believed). As for the alleged “gunsmithing” done in the Gunsmoke shop… well it certainly was creative. You could definitely learn what NOT to do to a fine firearm by watching the Gunsmoke TV show.
No arrests have been made. The GunsAmerica Blog reports: “This is not the first time Gunsmoke Guns was investigated by a federal agency. In 2013, the IRS searched the store as part of an ‘ongoing financial investigation.’ So far, no charges have been filed against the owner of the store Rich Wyatt, according to the U.S. Attorney. But local CBS4 investigator Rick Sallinger learned the shop may have been selling guns illegally.”
Similar Posts:
- ATF Changes Rules on Firearms Lost or Stolen in Transit
- SHOT Show Shocker: FBI Nabs 22 Firearms Reps at SHOT Show
- How to Store and Transport Firearms Safely in Vehicles
- Brownells Opens First-Ever Retail Store
- San Francisco’s Last Gun Store Closes — Thanks to the Politicians
Tags: ATF, Discovery Channel, FFL, Gunsmoke, IRS, Raid, Wyatt
Imagine if we could do the same to them if we didn’t like the way they operated things.
Soon they will drive a tank through the building… wako 2.
What gets me is how these individuals get away with this crap for as long as they do. First Red Jacket and now Gunsmoke. Makes you wonder if S&W will remove their modified pistol with gun smokes name on it from their line up.
I don’t get it. These shows of gun owners are up for public scrutiny, and then blow there fame by breaking the guns laws they try and protect. Rich Wyatt is an ex-sheriff. He should know better. But this could also be an over reaching by big brother just because of the arrangements for the FFL use. I don’t know. First Red Jacket, and now Gunsmoke. I wonder how S&W are going to deal with the Gunsmoke branded pistol?
Top shots is the only one i could stomach, Maybe they could film an actual gun business some day and not some Hollywierd BS.
I’ve always thought that anyone who wants to be the center of attention (such as someone who’d jump at the chance to be on television) probably has issues already.
My guess is that if you frequent this site, chances are you also like reality-themed gun shows. I do. Common interest in firearms pulls together some very different people, to say the least. The non-gun-related charges against Red Jacket’s William Hayden by a minor female are aweful. There has been a string of unfortunate, totally avoidable happenings in the last 2-3 years to highly visible individuals whose renown is based on their special association with firearms. I do believe that it has nothing to do with firearms, per se, but it would be nice if it stopped, nevertheless.
Make firearms popular expect a visit from the feds.