Gun shop owner killed

Ug. I was just watching robbery surveillance videos on Youtube (mostly gun vs. anti-gun convenience stores, quite an interesting comparison) and thought how everyone should have video surveillance. I wish these folks had--they may not catch this guy with no motive, no suspects.

Sorry for the loss of your gun shop owner.

Our local gun shop owners have had some strange occurances but nothing really dangerous..... yet. There are some hazardous businesses to be in and gun shop ranks up there a ways.

Is it really that dangerous of a business? I always hear people joke about how stupid it would be to try to rob a gun store.

I always hear people joke about how stupid it would be to try to rob a gun store.

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Most criminals aren't too bright, otherwise they'd be making an honest living. However some *are* fairly intelligent and they figure out how to get the jump on a shop owner merely in condition yellow.

I've read a number of accounts of gunshop altercations on these boards, and I've personally witnessed a couple at gun shows.

There is a lot of tension in people's lives, especially when they are frightened and looking for a gun, or they're looking for a gun to straw or commit a crime with. People don't like being rejected on their background check, or refused for purchase by a suspicious shop owner. These confrontations _never_ seem to end peacefully, even if it's a simple failed bg-check. The customer wants to know why, wants to make excuses, and can take it very personally and interpret discrimination or other bad blood.

It's one thing to be turned down for liquor because you don't have your ID with you, even when you're 45... but try to reconcile being turned down for a gun. I'm sure it's never pleasant, for either side.

As economic times get worst the punks get braisin. We all need to be more alert. I am sorry to hear about a good man being killed for no good reason. I hope they catch whoever did this.

/

My condolences Panther 22. I trust that some clue will bring this to a resolution at law.

Agree Raccoon,

I too have seen a guy in a local gunshop have a red faced, stomping fit when he couldn't pick up his gawl dern gun. He didn't exactly say gawl dern but you get what I mean. He left without being asked. The staff were quite civil and I sensed no animosity from them. Like you said, it's really just a fact that a denial can happen.

I had to comment on what everyone was thinking... Perhaps it's a good thing he is leaving empty handed!

The most dangerous was the Pawnshop/Gunshop combo. as far as dead business men.

My condolances to all who knew the man, wife and their family. Hopefully they are able to solve this.

Regards

I am really sorry to hear that. I lived in the Royal Heights area of Joplin back in the mid 60s. I guess Joplin is like every other city in that as it grows, so does crime. Hope they find the culprit(s).

I always hear people joke about how stupid it would be to try to rob a gun store.

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The report said they were murdered in their home, not the gun shop.
Panther22 stated: " His house was next door to his shop, which was out of town, in a quiet area."

The story sorta indicates that the crime may be a crime of personal revenge, not of robbery at the gun shop.

We'll see.

A little one-man gun shop in Apple Valley, CA (where I got my Colt Python) was suddenly shuttered. Later I found out why. He was robbed, hit over the head and left tied up in a back room. He did at least live.

Three shops, one owner moved to seclussion......

I know three (EX)shopowners

The first incident, three underage punks, from well to do families, looking for some excitement in the other whys boring been given everything lives. Decide to rob a gunstore. Two try to distract owner while third tries to load a shotgun, the owner hearing the bolt close on shell draws identifies the threat and shoots the kid now tring to bring the muzzle down. Owner survived, having gone thru three or more tours in southeast Asia with out ever having to fire a shot, and also twenty years in law enforcement never having to fire a shot, he has become a hermit and won't deal with people at all.

A pawn shop, owner always had a big goofy dog, when dog goes off bodies start bouncing off of walls. I must say even in his sixties _______ is the man I want on my side in a fight, he is hell on wheels when started. He decideds the pawn shop is to exciting, so retires again, first retirement out lawenforcement. Of the three incidents I know of, in his shop, the only one that truly scared him was when the dog as it started snapping somehow had the leash in it's mouth, and the six foot leash anded up on the floor in about six inch pieces, and what scared him was what if the dog had went off on someone not a threat, there was no way he could stop the dog! Another day I pulled in, to his parking lot it sounded like someone was banging on a huge gong, the dog had gone off, there was threat, and ------was doing such a good job of thowing the guy out he forgot the steel door now somehow shut opened inwards, after the fourth or fifth gong that I heard, the guy some how managed to hold onto the door enough to get it opened so when he was thrown the next time he went thru it, last time he was seen was cloud chasing his friend down the road trying to jump into the moving car.

The Third is the sadest as Jerry died of the beating, and there is little chance of finding the perp.

About 15 years ago three young punks tried to rob a small Mom and Pop gun store in a rural area near me. Fortunately the owner always carried a loaded pistol in his belt and as one of the punks pulled out a revolver (all three were acting pretty strange from the time they entered) the owner drew and opened fire. The punks had a .22 revolver and the owner had a .45 Auto. The armed punk did not hit the owner with any shots, and, unfortunately, the owner missed with his shots. Punks made a very fast exit leaving little turds behind on the floor)) and were caught by law enforcement shortly after. The owner's attitude in dealing with customers was forever changed after that; he was always wary, nervous, less outgoing.

16 years or so ago, a store employee shot and killed a guy in Los Banos CA.

They were really upset with it even though it was a good shooting.
Those things have a way of ruining your day or life. It is a tough thing but sometimes it has to be done.

If you can't take the heat don't work in the kitchen...

Ron Hess' (ex cop) Gun Shop in Norfolk, VA. Mr. Hess is 2 for 2 on giving dirt naps. First time you walk in there, you can feel the tension.

Gun store employees: Do folks really get THAT irate *at the gun store* when turned down by the NICS check?

2 down, 1 to go!

Had an attempted robbery at a gun store in southern VA 20 or more years ago. 3 guys came in, made the owner get down on his knees (he had a 38 revolver IWB in his back) behind the counter. They weren't masked, so he figured they were going to leave no witnesses. While 2 of 'em were loading up the swag, the one holding the owner turned slightly sideways to toss them another bag. Owner said he decided then if it happened again, that's when he was going to make his move. It did, he did, and when all the dust that came out of the ceiling settled enough to finally see, one was dead, and the other two had eyes the size of saucers!
Owner told 'em he was probably twice as scared as they were (doubtful) so if they so much as twitched...

While in jail, one of the 2 survivors hung himself. Don't remember what the other one got, but he was sent to prison for quite a while.

I've read a number of accounts of gunshop altercations on these boards, and I've personally witnessed a couple at gun shows.

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The ones you witnessed what were they like? Could you describe some or all of them?

During my tenure at a shop, had three near shooting incidents. One was a group of three, two of which were too meek obviously to carry out their plan.

What I learned (which is more important than the specifics for the armchair cowboys):

- A determined robber who plans *will* probably get you in a situation that's less than idea. Whether you get out or not, well, that's luck, situational, and how well you've prepared. If they're actually planned and competent, chances are you're toast. Double this if you work alone (which I did at the time quite often).
-Even indoors, a rifle is better than a pistol. SBRs are great for gun shops in that you've got far superior firepower in a handy package, available within arm's reach most of the time.
-People dumb enough to try something at a shop (or fearless enough) aren't going to listen to reason or the chunk of a pump shotgun or whatever it is you think will deter them.

I don't miss my time in the industry; I got a lot of nice toys and some good experience and met some good friends.

That said, I don't miss dealing with the lowlifes, the scary, and the outright criminal that the business does attract in addition to the good folks. Not one bit.

It is yet to be determined exactly what happened. The local Sheriff (Ex HP) has hinted about visible signs it was really personal in some way.

I tried to visit the store a few weeks ago when I picked up my CCW. Closed for lunch. Meant to get back again, it may not be possible now. It depends on how the estate is handled.

The house was the first county courthouse locally, then became a residence. The shop was across the parking lot, and had been there for a long time. It always seemed a Sheriff's vehicle was there, I now know the owner was Sheriff's Reserve. (Panther22, please correct if I'm misinformed.)

One of the best shops in the county, always friendly, widest variety of firearms and bow equipment, along with LE. Once the US71/I-49 paving came through, it was a bit roundabout to get there, but still a great store.

Who ever did this will probably get a change of venue far away from this county.

Our local shop owner has a loaded MG34 on the counter where he sits last time I was down there.