MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis police were called to a northeast Memphis motel Wednesday morning after thousands of dollars worth of guns were reported stolen from a visitor’s car.
According to police, the man was moving from Virginia to New Mexico and stopped for the night in Memphis. Worried about breaking state and federal laws, he said he thought it best to leave his gun collection in the car.
He said he parked his vehicle at the Baymont by Wyndham in the 6000 block of Shelby Oaks Drive on Tuesday night and then returned the next morning to find the window was broken.
In all, he said 32 guns (16 rifles, four handguns, three muzzle loaders and nine shotguns) were taken. The victim said the guns were worth approximately $12,900.
Willie Montgomery runs a food truck around the corner.
He says he’s scared of the 32 guns getting into the wrong hands on the streets.
“I got to worry about somebody trying to rob me with one of them. So I’ll stay on my toes.”
He says that many guns shouldn’t have been in the truck.
“He should have shipped them guns,” Montgomery said. “I mean, it might be more expensive to ship them, but it’s more safe. I guess he’ll learn next time.”
Police say Russell is properly licensed and wasn’t breaking state law.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says he wasn’t breaking federal law either.
It appears the weapons were not loaded and the suspect(s) didn’t get away with any ammunition.
