Military-Grade Arsenal Found In Bloomington, MN Home

[Thor]

Military-Grade Arsenal Found In Bloomington Home

(WCCO) Bloomington, Minn. Police found a number of military-grade weapons at a home in Bloomington, Minn.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was called in to a home on the 1700 block of 84th Street West to retrieve the weapons. They are also receiving assistance from the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Bloomington Police Bomb Squad.

Authorities found detonation cords, blasting caps and some type of military explosive, as well as about a dozen semiautomatic weapons and ammunition.

"It's merely precautionary at this time," said Bloomington Police Commander Kevin Hinrichs. "It is a fairly dangerous situation, but we have a good handle on it. And at this time there doesn't appear to be any danger of any explosions."

Five nearby homes have been evacuated. Some neighbors said the man living in the home searched has been living there for some time and was "a gun enthusiast" and an avid collector.

"They are good neighbors. We shoveled their driveway," said neighbor Nettie Beckler. "I guess I am in shock by all this."

The man who lives at the house regularly attends gun and knife shows, often selling knives and military clothing, according to Jim Wright, owner of Crocodile Productions Inc., which stages many of the shows. He described the man as "aboveboard" in his dealings.

"I'd be shocked if he did anything illegal," Wright said.

The homeowner was taken into custody by Hennepin County authorities on probable cause of possessing explosive devices.

Some of the items retrieved from the house have been referred to as military materials. Authorities have called Army officials from Wisconsin to the scene.

source

Here's what I've found out, this man was a legitimate FFL Dealer. He also used to grind stumps and it appears that he had a permit for the explosives. Is the media creating the news because it's a slow news day?? Who turned in this person and why?? Was it some anti-gun person in the neighborhood that was being a little too nosey and had nefarious intentions ?? What ever happened to the five "w's"?? (Who, what, when, where, and why) I'm really getting perturbed with the rampant bias in the media. An "arsenal" consists of 12 guns?? WTF?!?!?!  What do y'all think??

[Manedwolf]

Only a dozen?

And for an FFL, that could be $1200 worth of SKS's.

Woo.

[HankB]

Why were the cops in the home in the first place?

On what basis was a warrant issued?

WAS a warrant issued?

[Eleven Mike]

Thor, where did you get your info? 

[Thor]

Some from WCCO.com and a little bit more from my local board, this thread: http://www.twincitiescarry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4407

[Gewehr98]

Jeebus!

Wait'll I take my dirt nap and they find my stash of toys before the estate lawyer divvies them up. 

I can see the headlines now,"Huge military weapons and dangerous ammunition cache found in rural Wisconsin home".

Vs. what it should read,"Lifetime collector and FFL holder leaves beneficiaries and NRA museum with nest egg of 200+ firearms, 20K rounds of ammunition, and extensive reloading capabilities".

Oh, Vey!

[RJMcElwain]

Here's another story, but similar, from the same part of the country, but a week older. What's going on in northern Minnesota?

Bob

Man Arrested On Drug Charges Had 220 Firearms
 
Caroline Lowe
Reporting

(WCCO) Blaine, Minn. When Blaine Police arrested a local gun dealer on cocaine and marijuana charges, they also seized more than 220 firearms from his business.

Jeffrey Kempf had a larger arsenal than the one used by a fleet of 55 officers on the Blaine force. The guns were mostly automatic, military grade firearms. Some had silencers.

Kempf sold the weapons at his firing range in Blaine where he was a licensed, federal firearms dealer.

Police Chief Dave Johnson wanted to destroy all the guns, once Kempf's criminal case on drug charges was complete.

"It is always a concern when you've got weapons of that nature when the sole purpose is killing," he said.

Since Blaine investigators were not able to tie the guns to Kempf's drug use, Kempf's business, also owned by his wife, was allowed to sell the confiscated guns to an Oklahoma-licensed dealer.

Kempf is now in a Minnesota prison on the drug charges. As a convicted felon, he will not be able to own a gun or have a federal dealer's license once he is released.

His attorney, Robert Miller, argues an Anoka court was right in rejecting the police department's efforts to keep his client's guns.

"These guns were there as a part of his legitimate business, and that was the case from the very beginning. And I think the law serves the public fine in that respect," said Miller. "He was in a legal business, apart from possessing drugs."

Chief Johnson argues that guns and drugs are a dangerous mix. He hopes the Minnesota legislature will expand the state's forfeiture laws to cover cases like the one in Blaine when firearms are found close to illegal drugs.

[Manedwolf]

Police Chief Dave Johnson wanted to destroy all the guns, once Kempf's criminal case on drug charges was complete.

"It is always a concern when you've got weapons of that nature when the sole purpose is killing," he said.

I really, really despise cops like this. Is HIS gun he wears just for killing? 

Chief Johnson argues that guns and drugs are a dangerous mix. He hopes the Minnesota legislature will expand the state's forfeiture laws to cover cases like the one in Blaine when firearms are found close to illegal drugs.

Ah, right. So all they have to do is drop a bit of pot or a nickel bag on your premises, "find" it, and there go your guns. Just like they planted and "found" drugs in the home of that elderly woman that the no-knock raid killed.

Glad I don't live in Minnesota. Sounds like it's becoming Massachusetts or Illinois.

[Dannyboy]

Chief Johnson argues that guns and drugs are a dangerous mix. He hopes the Minnesota legislature will expand the state's forfeiture laws to cover cases like the one in Blaine when firearms are found close to illegal drugs.

Read as:  We could have armed our entire department without having to buy anything from anyone.

[Manedwolf]

Chief Johnson argues that guns and drugs are a dangerous mix. He hopes the Minnesota legislature will expand the state's forfeiture laws to cover cases like the one in Blaine when firearms are found close to illegal drugs.

Read as:  We could have armed our entire department without having to buy anything from anyone.

Plus have some nice relics decorating the den of the chief, captain and commissioner, etc...

[Perd Hapley]

Military-grade?  What does that mean?

[Leatherneck]

Military-grade?  What does that mean?

You know--those super-dangerous weapons that kill anyone in sight. Unrelated to those peaceful .30-06 hunter's rifles that are all warm and cuddly. 

TC

[Perd Hapley]

OK.  That's why my only rifle is a VZ24.  At least I know that wasn't made for killing people.   

[RJMcElwain]

Military-grade?  What does that mean?

Any gun that's black.

Bob

[Sindawe]

Dang, then that means my FAL is not military grade, since its green.  *SOB*

[Thor]

Police Chief Dave Johnson wanted to destroy all the guns, once Kempf's criminal case on drug charges was complete.

"It is always a concern when you've got weapons of that nature when the sole purpose is killing," he said.

I really, really despise cops like this. Is HIS gun he wears just for killing? 

Chief Johnson argues that guns and drugs are a dangerous mix. He hopes the Minnesota legislature will expand the state's forfeiture laws to cover cases like the one in Blaine when firearms are found close to illegal drugs.

Ah, right. So all they have to do is drop a bit of pot or a nickel bag on your premises, "find" it, and there go your guns. Just like they planted and "found" drugs in the home of that elderly woman that the no-knock raid killed.

Glad I don't live in Minnesota. Sounds like it's becoming Massachusetts or Illinois.

Minnesota DOES have some of the best carry laws in the nation, excluding Vermont and possibly Alaska. And, during the AWB of 1994, one could still purchase a "military style weapon", (aka: assault weapon, but I LOATHE that term), but was required to obtain a permit to purchase for those & pistols.(Free, good for a year and as many as one could afford) Unfortunately, we have some anti-gun folks and they are a very vocal minority. Most of the cops lean towards the anti-gun side, at least the higher ranking ones.

[Car Knocker]

Minnesota DOES have some of the best carry laws in the nation, excluding Vermont and possibly Alaska.

How does Minnesota surpass many other states in CCW?

[Thor]

Can carry just about anywhere, including churches, banks, and bars. If we carry past a sign, it's a trespass violation and that's only if someone notices and asks us to leave and we refuse. We also have no requirement to carry concealed, however, most of us prefer that method.  More can be found on my local gun board, in particular, the reference section. http://www.twincitiescarry.com/forum/index.php
We don't have the "Stand Your Ground" legislation passed yet, but MN isn't too bad, especially considering it's a Blue State. When I look at my home state's carry laws, (Texas), MN shines!!

[RocketMan]

The first guy with the explosives will probably get tagged for improper storage.  Depending on the type of explosives, most cannot be stored in a single family dwelling, even with a proper magazine.
The guns were just gravy for the Feds.

[Car Knocker]

Thor,

Gotta agree, MN CCW laws are pretty good.  I, too, was surprised at how restrictive Texas is.

[Manedwolf]

Can carry just about anywhere, including churches, banks, and bars. If we carry past a sign, it's a trespass violation and that's only if someone notices and asks us to leave and we refuse. We also have no requirement to carry concealed, however, most of us prefer that method.  More can be found on my local gun board, in particular, the reference section. http://www.twincitiescarry.com/forum/index.php
We don't have the "Stand Your Ground" legislation passed yet, but MN isn't too bad, especially considering it's a Blue State. When I look at my home state's carry laws, (Texas), MN shines!!

I think New Hampshire's are a bit better, since all that is allowed...and I've never once, ever, seen a "no weapons" sign on any mall or business. Plus it's shall-issue, $10 for three years, and the only requirement is that you're not a felon.

And there's no vocal anti anything. Anytime there's a shooting, they talk about cleaning criminals out of an area, nothing about guns. I like that.

[Thor]

Manedwolf, ours is $100 for five years and MN is a "shall issue" state now. I forgot about NH. (isn't that just part of Vermont, anyways??)   

That does bug me about the media and some of the so-called leadership, they always seem to place the blame on the guns, NOT the criminals. Minneapolis wants to be another Chicago, I think. Thank God for the burbanites and the out-staters!!!

[Manedwolf]

Manedwolf, ours is $100 for five years and MN is a "shall issue" state now. I forgot about NH. (isn't that just part of Vermont, anyways??)   

That does bug me about the media and some of the so-called leadership, they always seem to place the blame on the guns, NOT the criminals. Minneapolis wants to be another Chicago, I think. Thank God for the burbanites and the out-staters!!!

Bah. Vermont produces syrup and Ben & Jerry's ice cream. New Hampshire produces not only syrup, but SIG firearms and nuclear subs. Which is cooler?

[El Tejon]

Guns are far cooler than ice cream.  I don't have to brush and floss after using guns.

[Perd Hapley]

Yeah, but you do have to wash the Sig off your hands after shooting one of those.