U.S.A. — On June 14th, 2023, a Montana gun shop was searched for the purpose of the federal government questioning the company’s business financials.
Under normal circumstances, research may be justified, but in this case, 20 armed IRS Agents spent the entire day at the Highwood Creek Outfitters in Great Falls, Montana, going through documents, only to leave a half hour before closing time.
If that wasn’t bad enough, not only were financial documents seized, but 4473s were taken as well. The 4473 application includes, among other things, the name, birthdate, birth location, gender, home address, and serial number of firearms purchased by customers of the shop.
Some would argue the federal government is giving too much power to agencies run by unelected employees, but the Biden Administration seems to think this type of violation and strong-arming of private citizens is perfectly fine. After all, they remind you all the time that they just want to “keep people safe.”
After the document seizure and occupation of the gun shop by the armed agents, U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R) sent a letter to the IRS asking for more information about the incident. He wrote:
“According to the owner and local reporting on the event, 20 armed federal agents entered the store, remained on the premises for several hours, and confiscated several boxes worth of documents. Among the documents reportedly seized were Firearms Transaction Records (ATF Form 4473) that contain the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of prospective firearm purchasers. With the PII of an unknown number of Montanans potentially collected by your agents, the store’s customers and the community are rightfully concerned. As a result, local law enforcement has been inundated with calls and inquiries seeking information they are unable to provide.”
Thankfully there are still people in Congress who value the Constitution and are willing to stand up for the rights of Americans. Only two weeks after the gun shop raid, Republican Congressman Matt Rosendale from District 2 in Montana introduced and sponsored H.R.4436 with (11) co-sponsors, including Clay Higgins (R-La.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Robert Good (R-Va.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Jeffrey Duncan (R-S.C.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), and Barry Moore (R-Ala.). The bill’s intent is “To prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from providing firearms and ammunition to its employees, and for other purposes.”
On the same day (June 30th, 2023), H.R.4416 was introduced by Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins with (8) co-sponsors including Jeffrey Duncan (R-S.C.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Robert Good (R-Va.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.). Its intent is “To prohibit the use of Federal funds to hire armed Federal regulatory enforcement officers in certain agencies.”
Details of both bills are as follows:
H.R.4436 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)To prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from providing firearms and ammunition to its employees, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rosendale Sr., Matthew M. [Rep.-R-MT-2] (Introduced 06/30/2023) Cosponsors: (11)Committees: House – Ways and Means; JudiciaryLatest Action: House – 06/30/2023 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (All Actions)
H.R.4416 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)To prohibit the use of Federal funds to hire armed Federal regulatory enforcement officers in certain agencies.Sponsor: Higgins, Clay [Rep.-R-LA-3] (Introduced 06/30/2023) Cosponsors: (8)Committees: House – Ways and Means; Education and the Workforce; Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; AgricultureLatest Action: House – 06/30/2023 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for… (All Actions)
Should we have to create legislation to prevent our government employees from violating the rights of the very people they have been elected to protect? Of course not, but under this Marxist-influenced White House coupled with the obvious radicalization of the Democratic party, it would seem, we must.
About Dan Wos, Author – Good Gun Bad Guy
Dan Wos is available for Press Commentary. For more information contact PR HERE
Dan Wos is a nationally recognized 2nd Amendment advocate, Host of The Loaded Mic and Author of the “GOOD GUN BAD GUY” book series. He speaks at events, is a contributing writer for many publications, and can be found on radio stations across the country. Dan has been a guest on Newsmax, the Sean Hannity Show, Real America’s Voice, and several others. Speaking on behalf of gun-rights, Dan exposes the strategies of the anti-gun crowd and explains their mission to disarm law-abiding American gun-owners.
