In a nutshell:
Scott Igert (owner of Michigan Gun Exchange) essentially stole my gun from me, did not give me a receipt (initially), then refused to comply with state law, then got upset because I had to get law enforcement involved and trespassed me.
I visited this gun store on Feb 15, 2024 wanting to trade a handgun and some of its accessories.
I was quoted what I perceived to be a fair price for what I wanted to trade in and said yes to the offer, planning to use the amount agreed upon towards the purchase of a new handgun.
I filled out the electronic ATF form 4473 (background check) and it was submitted. About 20 minutes later we got the response, I was delayed. This is relatively normal and happens to most everyone purchasing firearms, eventually.
So, I asked for my gun back until we could proceed, but was then told by Scott Igert that he had already transferred my gun and it was no longer in my name so he couldn't give it back to me.
I have no idea why he thought it was OK to transfer my firearm into his (the FFLs) possession BEFORE the background check came back, AND, without my knowledge and consent! I was stunned, and furious. I left empty handed.
I was not given an official trade in quote, nor an invoice or receipt. Also, we didn't complete a RI-060 form (Firearms Sales Record), which is required by state law (as I understand it). Effectively, Scott Igert stole my gun. It would've been my word against his, because I had no sales receipt or proof of any kind that this transaction even occurred or was consensual. If I had my wits about me I would've filed a report for a stolen firearm with the ATF. Unfortunately, I didn't know what to do. All I could do was hope Scott Igert would honor the arrangement.
I returned on Feb 23, 2024 per his instruction to complete the transaction. Scott Igert agreed to Brady Law me (perform the transfer after waiting the federally mandated 3 business days without additional response from NICS). We did complete form RI-060 for the new handgun, so again I asked if we could do the form for my old gun and again was told "no need to".
I did, at this point, receive a sales receipt for the purchase and trade but, the receipt didn't specify the dollar amount of the trade in as a 'store credit' or 'trade in', instead calling it a "cash" payment.
According to everyone I had spoken with to get advice (various levels of law enforcement municipal thru federal, and other FFLs) his insistence that the RI-060 isn't necessary is incorrect, so I finished our business and left, not wanting to escalate things.
I wanted to form a plan.
Again I called and spoke with state police, getting more or less the same answer "it is the seller's responsibility to complete form RI-060 and turn it in" and to tell Scott Igert that I have been told to do so.
Not wanting to have a gun law violation on my record, I once again called Scott Igert and told him what state police had told me. He responded that he must call his ATF contact and he'll call me back. After a hour (ish) and not receiving his call, and with the end of the business day on a Friday only an hour away, and knowing the requirement is to turn in the RI-060 form within 10 days and 8 have already elapsed meaning Monday is too late... I called the county non emergency number requested an officer respond to take my official complaint.
I was contacted by a lieutenant from the Sheriff's Office who stated he was on his way to the gun store to straighten things out. Eventually, he convinced Scott Igert to comply but the lieutenant would not file a complaint, instead only writing up a report.
Scott Igert called me several minutes later and told me to come first thing in the morning (the following day) to get the RI-060 form and then rather rudely told me "and then we'll be done doing business".
The next morning, I arrived and he gave me the seller's copy only, told me "because you decided to throw a fit I'll be dropping off the other copy to the sheriff's office" and then said "don't come back here ever again ... you've been trespassed and you're on audio [recording] ... get the f*** out right now".
This is problematic for several reasons:
A) he willfully and intentionally put me in violation of state law, seemingly to spite me.
B) he trespassed me for no good reason, again, probably just to spite me.
C) he either doesn't understand how the law works, or he opted to put me in legal jeopardy to save his own skin. Rather than behaving like a decent human being and trying to work with me and assist in our efforts to get clarification on what to do under the circumstances, he did what he had to do for his own good, and basically tried to tell me to go f*** myself).
Scott Igert should've known better, as he is a former/retired police officer himself. One would assume his integrity would be higher than average. Evidently not. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH MICHIGAN GUN EXCHANGE! read more
