A gun shop owner in Arizona has taken an unusual step to protect his business by using his pickup truck as a barrier. This decision comes in the wake of multiple break-ins at nearby gun stores.
According to KVOA.com, a local TV station, two federally licensed firearms dealers in Tucson have recently experienced thefts. John Petrush, who owns John’s Guns and Ammo, mentioned that a police officer suggested this preventative measure since one of the targeted stores was quite close to his own. Petrush recalled past trouble, noting that his shop was also broken into several years ago, and he’s still carrying a bullet from that incident.
“Knowing they didn’t use a vehicle the first time they robbed me, there’s still open areas,” he shared with KVOA, capturing the anxiety of the situation.
This is the @NSSF-supported FFL Protection Act, the #NSSF’s legislative component of #OperationSecureStore RT Graham reintroduces bill imposing harsher penalties for gun theft https://t.co/uGmpUOJBpg @ATFHQ #ATF
— Larry Keane (@lkeane) June 3, 2026
On October 5, a group of thieves rammed into Elite Guns and Ammo, making off with several firearms. The shop owner expressed his frustration, stating he was “done” with the whole ordeal.
“I’d love to get rid of all of it and probably try to go out of business before the year’s out,” said Aaron Herman of Elite Guns. The situation has attracted attention from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry.
Mark Oliva, Managing Director of Public Affairs at NSSF, articulated his concerns: “These crimes are especially troubling. Criminals are determined, often using vehicles to smash through buildings or rip doors off hinges of retail locations. They steal firearms and are gone before law enforcement can even react.” He highlighted the risk that these stolen guns pose to communities.
Data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) indicates that in 2025, there were 181 burglaries, 531 larcenies, and 26 robberies of firearms dealers, resulting in the loss of 3,163 guns.
The ATF is aware of the alarming trend involving organized thefts targeting gun stores. A statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation noted ongoing destructive methods like “ram-raids” and “smash-and-grabs” being employed by thieves. ATF Assistant Director Justin Ward emphasized the importance of their response efforts, which include working with local police to investigate and recover stolen firearms.
Ward also discussed Operation Secure Store, a program created in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation aimed at enhancing security for gun stores and minimizing the potential for successful break-ins. It emphasizes security assessments, education, and response protocols after thefts.
It’s also critical to note that possessing a stolen firearm is a serious federal crime under 18 USC 922, which can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years. The statute similarly categorizes robbing or breaking into a firearms dealer for theft as its own distinct federal offense.
