Thieves in Tulsa
 

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crime...035dda2bf.html

read all of it (more in the article)--

Three men were arrested Friday and Saturday during the Wanenmacher Tulsa Arms Show with the help of a new video surveillance system in the River Spirit Expo building, and the accused are longtime trusted gun dealers.
“The surprising thing, all three of these were dealers, they had (vendor) badges, and they had been coming to our show for several years,” said show founder Joe Wanenmacher. “These were not young guys, either. I’ll just say they were old enough to know better. This is wild!”
Arrested were show vendors Kenneth Lee Reynolds, 74, of Ottumwa, Iowa; George Reginald Adams, 78, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Richard Eugene Futch, 68, of Seymore, Texas.

String em up.

Like kids in a candy store! They should have been booked on stupidity~~Low Bail!! I guess a low flight risk! Eric

Can't help but wonder how many more stolen firearms could be recovered if the police are able to obtain and execute search warrents for their businesses and homes?

Lon

I wonder how many of their customers are in possession of stolen firearms

No one will admit it or take a chance it is!! I estimate a large amount are sold a purchased in the back isles and parking lots of local gunshows! Years ago I attended a local gunshow with our sherrif and long time friend. He had walked to his unmarked car and was approached with a gentleman with a full auto Uzi wanting $500. He told him he would run in and hit the teller machine. Minutes ATF swooped down and arrested the man. Parking lots are especially patroled both by local, state a feds! Stay legit!! Eric

I am with MikeP... get a rope! I hope they get LONG sentences... and the worst punishment? As convicted felons they can't legally own a firearm the rest of their lives. True justice.

Shows and pawn shops!! Legal and diversified! Long lost closet treasures are always turning up as grandchildren may have little interest! Eric

I hope they check all guns that they have or can be traced to their sales and at least try to return them to their rightful owners. Too often the authorities pull them in as evidence, then destroy them rather than attempt to return them. It is easier and as far as police are concerned, removes a gun from the streets. ATF could also maintain a web site with lists of arms reported stolen, and anyone contemplating a purchase could check it, or even report it. A voluntary system could work, but a mandatory system would tend toward gun registration.

In the 50s and even 60s, gun show parking lots were wondrous places.
Laws were laxer and nobody really cared.
Unbelievable some of the things I saw and even traded as a teenager.
Once traded a beat up BYF 41 for a nice 28 Thompson.
Things began to tighten up, but like anything else, one just didn't do totally stupid things. My oldest buddy got busted for something while I was in the Army.
He became a gun narc and finally a regular treasury agent.
I was approached about the job after I got out. They thought my SF background would be a good thing.
I pretty quickly told them where they could stick that job. I won't touch or get near "funny" gun anymore.

One would think that at their age they would have made wiser choices.

Simply unbelievable!

Sergio

Unfortunately, one of the things that pretty much characterizes many of the long time dealers at our gun shows is greed...

That vice can impact all ages of men and women.

I agree with Marc 100%!! I am always amazed at how greed can affect people....even those that have no need for more. I guess to some folks, they can never have enough even if they had it all.

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rhuff:
I agree with Marc 100%!! I am always amazed at how greed can affect people....even those that have no need for more. I guess to some folks, they can never have enough even if they had it all.

Not sure who said this but I think it may have been J. Paul Getty that replied to the question duiring an interview as to how much money is enough, his answer was "Just a little bit more" What a shame, these three not only embarresed their familys but destroyed their reputations and all for "just a little bit more".

Lon

Its obsessive compulsive behavior. Win or lose doesn't always matter. Its the thrill no matter the outcome. My father an addicted gambler for life would bet on 2 palmetto bugs crawling on a hot sidewalk. Unlike my father, I alway protected what I earned! Now my obsession are lugers which are not self destructive. The point at bar was that they were in the twilight of their lives. The illness was always there! To them the consequeces are of no concern! Obsessive Compulsion behavior can appear in many ways ie hording, belimia and other eating disorders. It may sometimes be controlled but the roots of the compulsion will always be there! Its sometimes like a shaddow that can't out run.~~Eric

It was taking advantage of a sacred trust. Shows allow dealers in early. They have the run of the convention floor. Sometimes for hours before it is open to the public. We all know that it is impossible to 100% secure all your inventory when doing shows, so this abuse of the industry's trust is especially egregious.