INDIANAPOLIS–A gun store was raided and shut down by the feds. U.S. Atty. Josh Minkler says a convicted felon was selling guns and making orders from gun distributors.
Nearly 400 guns, silencers, and gun parts were taken by the ATF and other agencies when they busted G2 Sports Products and Firearm Sales at 8255 Indy Court, in Indianapolis, Tuesday. Minkler said that agents had been investigating the goings on at the store for months.
While undercover, officers made several purchases from Scott Genung, a convicted felon, also known as a “prohibited possessor” under federal law, who personally processed the transactions. Genung was also observed with a firearm on his person and made an order from a gun distributor, which is also illegal for a convicted felon.
Genung was already under indictment for his actions in the gun store.
The store’s owners are giving up their license and have agreed to an enhanced surrender of their license, meaning they can never own or operate another gun store. The value of the weapons they gave up is about $224,000.
“This prosecution, firearms seizure, and license surrender represent our commitment to reducing violent crime in the Southern District of Indiana by keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals who have no legal right to possess firearms,” said Minkler.
Guy Relford, host of The Gun Guy and gun rights attorney, said Genung may face state charges. A criminal background check turned up a man with the same name who would be considered a serious violent felon under state law because of a drug dealing conviction in 2002. Serious violent offenders are prohibited from having a gun under Indiana law, said Relford.
Regardless, you cannot be a convicted felon and have a gun because it is a federal crime, and working in a gun store would be excessively difficult.
“We also have what’s called constructive possession, which is the intent and the capacity to exercise control over a firearm, even without it being in your direct, physical possession,” said Relford. “How do you work in a gun store without falling into one of those categories, of either at some point either possessing a gun or having the capacity to possess it?”
Relford said the owners might should have done a better job vetting their employee.
PHOTO: Bytmonas/IStock
