Actually, this was less of a shootout, and more of a shooting. The business owner in this case took four shots at a fleeing shoplifter after recovering a stolen gun from him.

Here is a perfect example of why even smaller businesses need some training in the principles of loss prevention. Just because somebody steals a gun from you does not give you, as a business owner, the right to go out and shoot at them. This shop owner got his merchandise back, but when the shoplifter tried to run away, the business owner shot at him 4 times.

Now, considering that this guy is a gun store owner, and probably (hopefully), he’s pretty proficient with handguns, I doubt if he was trying to shoot the guy (Just my opinion, based on the story). More than likely, he was trying to scare him, but I could be wrong.

Still, this is a serious issue. Now, the shop owner will probably be prosecuted, and if he is convicted, he may lose his Federal Firearms License, which means he will no longer be legally permitted to sell guns. So, it is possible that this business owner may lose his livelihood, his business, because he made a bad business decision, and let his emotions control the situation.

The worst part is that this reckless behavior could have gotten someone seriously injured, or worse. And, let me remind you, he got his stolen gun back!! He had no reason to shoot at the shoplifter. He was not in danger, and the shoplifter was fleeing. This pure lack of regard for the safety of others on the part of this business owner is scary.

Not only are the shoplifters getting more and more dangerous and unpredictable; but now, business owners who are fed up with the problem and apparent lack of a solution are taking matters into their own hands? Very frightening. Police are frustrated, business owners are frustrated, and prosecutors are frustrated. Tougher laws may help, but first, state and local governments have to do a better job of funding the prosecutors’ offices and enforcing the current ones.

I understand this business owner’s frustrations, but I don’t agree with how he handled the situation. It is all very sad and very frustrating. All I can say is… WOW!

A Tempe gun store owner was arrested along with a suspected thief Saturday after the owner fired four rounds at a shoplifter who stole a pistol out of his shop.
Police said a man walked out of the S&S Firearms store, 906 S. Priest with an AK pistol worth $750 without paying for it. Store owner Stephen Saridakis, 59, then followed the man outside the business and pointed a .45 caliber handgun at him while demanding his weapon back.
The man gave the gun back to the owner, but left right away. Police said the store owner then fired four shots at the thief’s vehicle with his handgun, flattening a tire.
Police arrested Nathaniel Jones, 21, a short time later at 1129 W. Elna Rae on suspicion of theft of a firearm. Saridakis was also arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a firearm. Jones was taken to Tempe City Jail and Saridakis was released pending review of the charges by a prosecutor.
No one was injured during the shooting.

Gun store owner shoots at shoplifter | EastValleyTribune.com

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