A South Bay gun store owned by a Mountain View cop that abruptly shut down last week is at the center of a domestic issue that has seemingly left customers and the inventory of firearms in limbo.
NBC Bay Area has learned the San Jose Gun Trader in Santa Clara shut down because owner Tim Minor was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. That kind of allegation causes a lot of problems when it involves someone who deal with guns.
The gun store on Coleman Avenue shut its doors on Dec. 15. Minor, who ran the store with his wife, was arrested by a Santa Clara County Sheriff deputies on suspicion of domestic violence and spousal abuse, NBC Bay Area has learned.
NBC Bay Area is also told a protective order and a restraining order were issued, which under state law prevents Minor from having any involvement with firearms. The law also applies even if the owner is a police officer.
"And that's perhaps why there's been this delay and this cloud of mystery around this gun store," said Steven Clark, a legal analyst.
Customers are worried and wondering about the hundreds of guns associated with the store.
"If they're a legitimate gun shop, they have to keep excellent records, I assume," customer Jeff Silva said. "So the fact that nobody knows is kind of scary."
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Sources tell NBC Bay Area many guns were confiscated at the time of Minor's arrest and that the other firearms are accounted for.
Minor's attorney said his client feels helpless to help customers.
The Santa Clara Sheriff's Department is not commenting on the case and said an investigation is ongoing.
