Tom VanHoose, owner of Highwood Creek Outfitters in Great Falls, MT was pulling into work when IRS vehicles pulled in behind him with 20 heavily armed federal IRS agents. They demanded to see all his 4473 forms.
A Firearms Transaction Record, or ATF Form 4473, is a six-page form prescribed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives required to be completed when a person proposes to purchase a firearm from a Federal Firearms License holder, such as a gun dealer.
As these agents confiscated all his 4473 forms, none of which contain any financial information; the IRS now has access to these forms with sensitive personal details of every customer who purchased a firearm from Highwood Creek Outfitters.
Van Hoose says his shop has a good relationship with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fiearms, which was also present. He says because his shop carries “fun guns” like AR-15’s and AK-47s their level of licensing draws more scrutiny.
“We have a reputation of dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s because there’s so much legal fun to be had,” said Van Hoose. “It’s just not worth doing things that are going to get you in trouble.”
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter says there is no law stating that the sheriff must be notified prior to any such investigation by federal agents.
The Great Falls Police Department was notified of the investigation and provided security. KRTV
I met with Tom Vanhoose this morning after 20 armed IRS agents raided his store in Great Falls earlier this week.
— Matt Rosendale (@RepRosendale) June 16, 2023
Tom informed me that these agents confiscated all the 4473 forms, none of which contain any financial information; instead, the IRS now has access to these forms… pic.twitter.com/HPFEgZedKI