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ATF, Crime-Stoppers and Local Law Enforcement Offer Reward for Information on Gun Store Burglaries 274 Guns Stolen in Recent Burglaries.

274 Guns Stolen in Recent Burglaries ATF Offers Rewards

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HOUSTON, TX --(Ammoland.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Crime Stoppers of Houston and local law enforcement agencies announce today a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for eight burglaries at Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in the Houston area.

“In the last six weeks approximately 274 firearms were stolen from eight burglaries. ATF is requesting the public’s assistance in recovering these firearms to prevent their use in violent crimes,” said Gary Orchowski, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Division.

ATF is working with Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4, Houston Police Department, FBI, Brazos County Sheriff’s Office and West Columbia Police Department to investigate these burglaries.

The burglaries in question are listed below:

• Cypress Jewelry and Loan (12-2-11), 11133 Huffmeister, Cypress, TX, 37 firearms stolen, ATF and Harris Co Pct 4.
• Great Texas Gun Company (12-17-11), 6951 State Highway 21 East, Bryan, TX, 80 firearms stolen, ATF and Brazos County SO. (Reward previously offered.)
• Fiesta Pawn (12-24-11), 12726 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060, no firearms, Harris County SO, ATF.
• People’s Pawn (1-4-12), 11431 North Freeway, Houston, Texas, 10 firearms and electronics, ATF and Houston PD.
• Amex Pawn (1-4-12), 12303 Veteran’s Memorial, Houston, Texas, 131 firearms stolen, ATF and HCSO.
  JJ Enterprise Sporting Goods (1-7-12), 505 E. Brazos Ave, West Columbia, Texas (Brazoria County), 16 firearms stolen, ATF and West Columbia PD.
• Value Pawn (1-12-12), 10790 W. FM 1960, Houston, Texas, 77064, no firearms but other items, ATF and Harris County Pct 4.
• Jet Pawn (1-14-12), 6135 FM 2920, Spring, Texas 77379, 3 suspects arrested during attempt, ATF, HCSO, Harris County Pct 4.

Anyone with information on these burglaries is encouraged to contact:

Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477)

www.stopcriminals.org

ATF at (800) ATF GUNS or 800-283-4867

Tipsters will remain anonymous and can be eligible for up to $5,000 for arrest and charging/conviction of persons responsible for these crimes.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms crimes and regulating the firearms industry. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

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California Rifle and Pistol Association

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)-December 7th was an important day for Gun Safari, firearms enthusiasts and Second Amendment supporters in Los Angeles.

A public hearing took place in Van Nuys in front of the local neighborhood council, which is one of the steps required during the application process for a conditional use permit-a requirement to operate as an FFL in Los Angeles.

It is well known to most firearm enthusiasts in the area that Los Angeles is not a Second Amendment friendly place anymore. Gun shops typically close here, not open, but with the support of Calguns, CRPA, NRA and all the supporters who showed up to let their presence be felt, it looks like that might be changing.

With a simple post on the Calguns forums, an e-mail notification by CRPA, and a flyer posted up at a local NRA meeting, we were able to get our message out to enthusiasts in our area who feel the same.

Going into the hearing we were very uncertain how the board was going to vote, we had met with them prior and were greeted by mixed opinions towards firearms. Multiple members displayed a fear and general misunderstanding of firearms/ammunition, and multiple members also stated they were simply worried about thefts, firearms winding up on the streets, and straw purchases. When our time came to be heard, one lone member who is the wife of an avid hunter, spoke on behalf of Gun Safari. Questions were asked mostly regarding security of the facility and a basic rundown of what items and services were planned on being offered by Gun Safari.

Gun Safari

It is my belief that what happened next is what swayed the vote. Members of the community in attendance were given the chance to voice their opinions, we had individuals speak in favor-not simply of a gun shop opening-but a business that will bring growth back to our community and bring a service people want back to a city that has sought the closure of such stores in the past.

After listening to their fellow community members speak, the board held a vote and passed a motion with a vote of 9-1 in favor of sending a recommendation of approval to the city council and zoning administrators for Gun Safari’s request of a conditional use permit to sell firearms and ammunition in the city of Los Angeles.

Overall the first of two hearings was a great success, with credit due to the wonderful pro-Second Amendment organizations we have operating, and most importantly the people who were willing to come out and make their voices count.

Details for the next and final meeting where a decision will be made are listed below.

• WHAT:
  Final public hearing considering allowing a new FFL in Van Nuys
• WHEN:
  Monday, January 23, 2012 at 2:00pm
• WHERE:
  6262 Van Nuys Blvd, Room 1B, Van Nuys, CA 91401
  (Click for map and directions.)

The California Rifle and Pistol Association “CRPA,” founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA’s members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world.

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