Thread: Licensed Gun Dealer Charged With Making Unlawful Sales

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Eastern District of Californiawww.justice.gov/usao/cae For Immediate Release

September 2, 2010

Benjamin B. Wagner, United States Attorney

Contact: Lauren Horwood
(916) 554-2706
usacae.edcapress@usdoj.gov

Licensed Gun Dealer Charged With Making Unlawful Sales of Firearms, Silencers, and a Machine Gun

Sold to Undercover ATF Agent and Others Posing as Mexican Nationals

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Stephen C. Herkins announced that Robert John Ronning, 42, of Salida, owner of Ronning Arms Inc. in Modesto, a federal firearms licensee, was arrested today on charges of illegal gun sales, including the unlawful transfers of unregistered silencers and a machine gun.

According to a criminal complaint filed earlier this week, ATF became involved in an investigation of a drug trafficking organization in approximately February 2009. As part of the investigation, quantities of methamphetamine, machine guns, and assault weapons were purchased. It appeared that some of the firearms came from Ronning Arms Inc. Following the arrest of the initial targets of this investigation, an undercover agent and others were able to purchase two silencers, seven assault weapons, and a machine gun from Robert Ronning at his place of business, in violation of federal law.

U.S. Attorney Wagner said, “Selling guns to unknown individuals, especially those without identification, is a dangerous business. Guns trafficked back to Mexico help fuel the cartels and perpetuate the violence over the border. Licensees who hide behind their licenses to traffic in guns violate the trust that the government bestows upon them.â€

Hang him!

His biggest crime is the heat that legitimate dealers get because of sell outs like him and the disregard for any of us to keep our 2nd amendment rights.

What's left of it, that is.