Secret Service intervened in a case involving a missing gun owned by President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden, in which agents pressured the store owner who sold the gun to turn over paperwork involving the sale in an apparent cover-up, sources told Politico.
In October 2018, Hunter Biden and Hallie Biden — the wife of Joe Biden’s late son Beau – were involved in an incident in which Hallie took Hunter’s gun and threw it in a garbage can behind a grocery store. The incident led to an investigation by police who were concerned because of the trash bin’s proximity to a high school, according to a police report obtained by Politico.
When Hallie returned to the trash can to retrieve the firearm, it was gone.
Secret Service agents reportedly approached StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington, Del. at which Hunter purchased the gun and asked to take the paperwork involved in the sale. Rob Palmieri, the gun store owner, refused, questioning the agents’ motives and suspecting an attempt to hide Hunter Biden’s ownership of the missing gun.
Palmieri later gave the papers to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment by American Military News.
Secret Service now says it doesn’t have any record of an investigation into the incident, and a spokesperson for Joe Biden said the president isn’t aware of any agency involvement.
Additionally, Politico obtained copies of the Firearms Transaction Record and receipt for purchase, revealing Hunter Biden may have lied on his background check form.
According to the record, Hunter Biden responded “no” to the question: “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?”
Notably, Hunter Biden had been discharged from the Navy Reserve following a positive test for cocaine. President Biden has also acknowledged Hunter Biden’s history of drug abuse.
Lying on ATF Form 4473 is a felony that can result in a 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation also responded to the incident, according to people familiar with the matter. Hunter Biden was on the Bureau’s radar at the time as part of an ongoing investigation that primarily involves his taxes.
Police questioned both Hunter and Hallie Biden at the grocery store, at which point Hunter said he used the firearm for target practice. One of the officers then asked Hunter Biden if the firearm had ever been used in a crime. Hunter reportedly “became very agitated with me and asked me if I was intentionally trying to make him mad.”
People familiar with the situation said the gun was ultimately returned by an older man who frequently searches the grocery store’s trash in search of recyclables.
Not charges or arrests were made in connection with the incident.
