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OGDEN — A gun store in Ogden is reporting a handful of stolen gun accessories.
Retail Manager Kyle Gammon, with Impact Guns in Ogden, said they started noticing stolen items over the last couple of months when inventory wasn't lining up.
"Small parts, like hand stops, magazine releases, safety selectors, things you can easily just fit in a pocket," Gammon said.
Some other items are being carried and concealed out the door were stolen too.
"One was a 15″ handguard for an AR-15 worth right around $207," Gammon said.
Rolling back security camera footage, they noticed people on camera walking out with items. In one instance, the whole theft began with a quick trip to the restroom.
"I think he staged bathroom, then left, grabbed the item, went right back in, put the packaging in the toilet tank, and then I think (he) just hid it under his jacket and just immediately walked out," Gammon said.
Over the last year, the general manager said they've seen around a 30% increase in stolen inventory.
So far, the only things stolen have been gun accessories. With some quick math, the value of the stolen items adds up fast.
"Prices for, especially accessories for firearms just range anywhere from $20 to several hundred," Gammon said.
He said before COVID-19 hit, they had at most eight to 10 people in the store. Now with restrictions lifting, more people started coming through the doors, and have ever since.
As for why people may be stealing now, Gammon said it could be people who purchased guns during the pandemic who want to update their gun parts.
For thieves, this means it's not hard to make a buck, according to Jesse Anderson, the owner of Jesse James Firearms and Clearfield Firearms and Pawn.
"Go to another local gun store, and discount the price, take them to your local pawn shops," Anderson said.
Anderson has been working in the gun industry for nearly 40 years.
He said a person could steal items out of a store, take them to a gun show and go home with cash.
"Between 10,000 and 25,000 people that goes through our gun shows. Just the individuals walking around, selling their own products. They're just hand-carrying a duffel bag, liquidating their own product, and at that point, you really don't know if it's stolen or not," Anderson said.
He said the chances of seeing a stolen product with no serial number on it again are highly unlikely.
