Gun dealer says he got fake note from Secretary Kristi Noem

Federal authorities say they are investigating a report about a bogus letter purportedly written by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to at least one Vermont gun store claiming the U.S. Government was temporarily suspending the Second Amendment right to have guns.

Green Mountain Sporting Goods in Irasburg alerted the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco about the letter on Thursday.

The letter was found in the mailbox for the popular gun store on U.S. 5, the owner, Brian Lemois, told Vermont News First.

A headline at the top of the letter said, “Notice of Enhanced Protection Policies for Homeland Security Agents.”  It was dated Monday.

The letter appeared to be on stationery from Homeland Security in Washington D.C. and had an ostensible signature of Noem, but the longtime gun dealer said he quickly became suspicious. 

Lemois said he alerted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force in Vermont.

“ATF is aware of an obviously fraudulent letter impersonating Secretary Noem delivered to a Vermont Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL),” said Special Agent Austin Wozniak, an acting public information officer for ATF in New England.

“We would encourage any of our partners in the firearms industry who receive any questionable correspondence to contact ATF if they have any concerns or would like to verify its authenticity,” Wozniak said. 

The one-page letter said in part, “The United States Government is committed to the protection of the brave government agents who safeguard our borders from the tyranny of foreign invaders, but recently those same agents have found themselves under assault from hostile internal adversaries.”

The bogus letter issued three directives:

— The store should share the full inventory and records for any firearms on the premises when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer arrives.

— The ICE agents should be advised immediately of any employees or individuals at the store carrying any guns and they should surrender them during the visit.

— The written letter is to remain displayed in the store until further notice of DHS.

The letter ends, “We appreciate your full cooperation and understanding during these challenging times, and are proud of the contributions of local communities to Make America Safe Again.”

The Orleans County store is about 15 miles south of the international border for the U.S. and Canada.

Irasburg is also about 5 miles south of Coventry where a U.S. Border Patrol Agent was gunned down during a traffic stop on Jan. 20, 2025.  The woman accused in the fatal shooting is facing multiple federal criminal charges, including a potential death penalty if convicted.

Orleans County Sheriff Jennifer Harlow said she was aware of the incident and her department, which provides road patrols in Irasburg, would cooperate in any way needed in the investigation.

Officials said a notice was being prepared to go to law enforcement agencies across Vermont in case another licensed firearms dealer receives a similar letter.