Gunreference1
09-03-2010, 11:41 AM
Friday, Sep. 03, 2010
Agents arrest owner of Modesto gun shop
Illegal sales, some assault weapons, cited at east Modesto shop
By Rosalio Ahumada
rahumada@modbee.com
Federal agents Thursday arrested a Salida man suspected of illegally selling guns, including assault weapons, at his east Modesto gun shop to undercover agents and others posing as Mexican citizens without identification.
Robert John Ronning, 42, was arrested on suspicion of illegal gun sales, including the unlawful transfers of unregistered gun silencers and a machine gun, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento.
"Selling guns to unknown individuals, especially those without identification, is a dangerous business," U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in the news release. "Guns trafficked back to Mexico help fuel the cartels and perpetuate the violence over the border."
Ronning is a federal firearms licensee and owner of Ronning Arms Inc. in the 2000 block of Yosemite Boulevard, west of El Vista Avenue in Modesto.
It was unclear whether Ronning was still in federal custody Thursday night. Attempts to reach his attorney were not successful.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served a search warrant at the business Thursday. The agents remained at the business until about 4:30 p.m.
By then, the business had been closed, and there were no employees around. Some customers stopped by and were surprised to see the business closed earlier than scheduled.
The probe into Ronning began in February 2009, when the ATF was involved in a drug trafficking investigation. Methamphetamine, machine guns and assault weapons were purchased as part of the investigation.
It appeared that some of the firearms came from Ronning Arms Inc., according to federal prosecutors.
After arrests were made in the drug investigation, an undercover ATF agent and others purchased two gun silencers, seven assault weapons and a machine gun from Ronning at his business, according to the prosecutors.
Ronning faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of unlawfully possessing or transferring a machine gun. He also faces 10 years in prison if convicted of unlawful transfer, receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm and conspiracy to commit the crime.
The ATF's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force led the investigation with help from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Task Force.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Stephen Herkins said his agency works with local law enforcement agencies to pursue gun traffickers who get firearms from lawful businesses into the hands of violent criminals.
"In this case, the illegal sales of several high-caliber firearms that were earmarked for the black market were purchased and intercepted by an ATF agent acting in an undercover capacity," Herkins said in the news release. "This is an excellent example of ATF doing what we do best, preventing criminals from possessing guns."
Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.
http://www.modbee.com/2010/09/02/1322118/agents-arrest-owner-of-modesto.html
Steve
Agents arrest owner of Modesto gun shop
Illegal sales, some assault weapons, cited at east Modesto shop
By Rosalio Ahumada
rahumada@modbee.com
Federal agents Thursday arrested a Salida man suspected of illegally selling guns, including assault weapons, at his east Modesto gun shop to undercover agents and others posing as Mexican citizens without identification.
Robert John Ronning, 42, was arrested on suspicion of illegal gun sales, including the unlawful transfers of unregistered gun silencers and a machine gun, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney's office in Sacramento.
"Selling guns to unknown individuals, especially those without identification, is a dangerous business," U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner said in the news release. "Guns trafficked back to Mexico help fuel the cartels and perpetuate the violence over the border."
Ronning is a federal firearms licensee and owner of Ronning Arms Inc. in the 2000 block of Yosemite Boulevard, west of El Vista Avenue in Modesto.
It was unclear whether Ronning was still in federal custody Thursday night. Attempts to reach his attorney were not successful.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served a search warrant at the business Thursday. The agents remained at the business until about 4:30 p.m.
By then, the business had been closed, and there were no employees around. Some customers stopped by and were surprised to see the business closed earlier than scheduled.
The probe into Ronning began in February 2009, when the ATF was involved in a drug trafficking investigation. Methamphetamine, machine guns and assault weapons were purchased as part of the investigation.
It appeared that some of the firearms came from Ronning Arms Inc., according to federal prosecutors.
After arrests were made in the drug investigation, an undercover ATF agent and others purchased two gun silencers, seven assault weapons and a machine gun from Ronning at his business, according to the prosecutors.
Ronning faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of unlawfully possessing or transferring a machine gun. He also faces 10 years in prison if convicted of unlawful transfer, receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm and conspiracy to commit the crime.
The ATF's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force led the investigation with help from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Joaquin County Metropolitan Task Force.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Stephen Herkins said his agency works with local law enforcement agencies to pursue gun traffickers who get firearms from lawful businesses into the hands of violent criminals.
"In this case, the illegal sales of several high-caliber firearms that were earmarked for the black market were purchased and intercepted by an ATF agent acting in an undercover capacity," Herkins said in the news release. "This is an excellent example of ATF doing what we do best, preventing criminals from possessing guns."
Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.
http://www.modbee.com/2010/09/02/1322118/agents-arrest-owner-of-modesto.html
Steve