ATF offers reward in gun store burglary

ATF, Huntsville PD and the firearms industry seek public’s help in firearms theft from Gold, Guns and Guitars near Madison

MADISON – A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of several firearms from a Madison-area pawn shop on Wednesday.

Authorities said approximately 35 firearms were reported stolen to the Huntsville Police from Gold, Guns and Guitars, 7743 Highway 72 West in Madison. Details about the burglary are limited, but Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said investigators are in the process of conducting an inventory to determine the exact number of firearms missing.

The pawn shop stayed closed Wednesday while investigators continued to process the scene and evaluate the number of firearms stolen.

The ATF also said they, along with the Huntsville Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction for those responsible for the theft of firearms from Gold, Guns and Guitars, which is a federal firearm licensee (FFL).

The ATF is offering the reward for the amount of up to $5,000, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $10,000. This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF’s reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.

“ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. ATF Special Agent in Charge, Marcus Watson said, “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence in conjunction with Project Guardian will leverage investigative resources combined with community partnerships to recover the stolen firearms.”

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), or the Huntsville Police Department (256) 883-3739.

Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes, and regulates the firearm industry.  More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.