JGalt
Diamond Member
- Mar 9, 2011
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I stopped by our local gun shop this afternoon and saw this official-looking letter tacked to the bulletin board:
The letter immediately aroused my suspicion, so I asked the owner if I could take a picture of it. After getting home, I did a little research and what I found confirmed my suspicion: It was a hoax, probably intended to intimidate or scare the gun shop owner or customers. Here's what I found:
"The document titled "Notice of Enhanced Protection Policies for Homeland Security Agents" (dated January 26, 2026) is a hoax and not a legitimate government directive.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have confirmed that the letter, which has been found posted on the doors of several Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), is fraudulent.
Key Details of the Hoax Letter
The fraudulent document uses official-looking Department of Homeland Security (DHS) branding and includes a fake signature for the Secretary of Homeland Security. It falsely claims that:
What to Do
If you encounter this notice or receive a copy:
As a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), you should treat this document as a scam and evidence of a crime. The ATF has explicitly confirmed through its FFL Alert system that this notice is not a legitimate government directive.
Recommended Actions for Dealers
If you have found this notice on your premises or received it by mail:
Why this is a Scam
The letter immediately aroused my suspicion, so I asked the owner if I could take a picture of it. After getting home, I did a little research and what I found confirmed my suspicion: It was a hoax, probably intended to intimidate or scare the gun shop owner or customers. Here's what I found:
"The document titled "Notice of Enhanced Protection Policies for Homeland Security Agents" (dated January 26, 2026) is a hoax and not a legitimate government directive.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have confirmed that the letter, which has been found posted on the doors of several Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), is fraudulent.
Key Details of the Hoax Letter
The fraudulent document uses official-looking Department of Homeland Security (DHS) branding and includes a fake signature for the Secretary of Homeland Security. It falsely claims that:
- Suspension of Rights: The U.S. government is temporarily suspending Second Amendment rights to protect ICE agents during deployments.
- Forced Surrender of Firearms: Individuals carrying firearms must "peacefully surrender" them to ICE officers upon arrival, or face prosecution for domestic terrorism.
- Mandatory Inventory: Business owners must immediately provide a full inventory of all firearms on-site to any reporting officer.
- Notice Display: The notice must remain displayed on the premises; its removal is supposedly a crime.
What to Do
If you encounter this notice or receive a copy:
- Do Not Comply: The instructions are not legally binding.
- Report It: Contact your Local ATF Office or local law enforcement immediately to report the scam.
- Verify Official Sources: Legitimate federal policy changes are typically published on the Federal Register or official DHS.gov press channels.
As a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), you should treat this document as a scam and evidence of a crime. The ATF has explicitly confirmed through its FFL Alert system that this notice is not a legitimate government directive.
Recommended Actions for Dealers
If you have found this notice on your premises or received it by mail:
- Preserve Evidence: Do not destroy the document.
- Photograph it in place exactly where you found it (e.g., on your front door) before moving it.
- Save all materials, including envelopes or any packaging it arrived in.
- Report to the ATF: Contact your Local ATF Field Office immediately. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the ATF Tips page or the ReportIt mobile app.
- Review Security Footage: Check your store’s surveillance cameras for the date and time the notice was likely delivered or posted to identify potential suspects.
- Brief Your Staff: Ensure all employees are aware that this is a hoax and instructed not to comply with any requests for inventories or firearm surrenders.
- Verify Official Personnel: If anyone visits your store claiming to be a DHS, HSI, or ATF agent, request their official credentials (name, agency, and badge number) and call your local ATF office to verify their identity before providing any information.
Why this is a Scam
- False Claims: The notice falsely asserts that Second Amendment rights are "temporarily suspended" and that failing to surrender firearms is an act of "domestic terrorism".
- Imposter Signature: The letter uses fraudulent DHS branding and a fake signature, often attributed to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Illegal Demands: No federal agency has the authority to suspend constitutional rights via a posted flyer or to demand the immediate surrender of your inventory in this manner. "
