In October 2018, an unusual incident occurred involving Hunter Biden’s purchase and subsequent disposal of a handgun, drawing attention due to the involvement of the U.S. Secret Service.
The Daily Mail reported that at that time, Hunter and other members of the Biden family were not under Secret Service protection. This information has surfaced from FBI documents and court testimonies related to Hunter's federal trial for falsifying information on a gun purchase form.
The event began when Hunter Biden bought a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver from the Wilmington StarQuest Shooters gun store.
According to the store owner, Ron Palimere, Hunter Biden claimed on Form 4473—required for firearm purchases in the U.S.—that he was not addicted to illegal substances, despite later admitting in his memoir to being a "full-blown addict" during this period.
The trial continues to unravel these layers, promising further insights into the workings of federal law enforcement related to high-profile individuals.
FBI write-ups reveal that on October 24, 2018, both the Delaware State Police and the U.S. Secret Service showed independent interest in the gun purchased by Hunter Biden.
Palimere recounted under oath that agents appeared at his store and requested expedited access to the firearm's sales record, ostensibly to "facilitate the trace process" linked to an ongoing case.
This request by the Secret Service was puzzling because neither Hunter Biden nor any of his family members, including Joe Biden, who had concluded his vice presidency nearly two years prior, were receiving Secret Service protection at that time.
The agents conveyed urgency in accessing the record, but they seemed unaware that another agency was also investigating the gun's disposal by Hallie Biden, Hunter’s sister-in-law and then-girlfriend.
Evidence of internal confusion and skepticism among Secret Service agents was documented in emails obtained by Judicial Watch. In these communications, agents expressed surprise and speculation about their involvement in the case, with comments like "It's kind of odd that we were involved in the missing gun investigation..." and "Maybe we were asked for a favor?" revealing uncertainty about their role.
Despite the agency's formal denial of involvement in media statements in 2021 and before, their actions, as recounted in the testimonies and judicial records, raise questions about the boundaries of their operational duties during that period. These discrepancies have become a focal point in the federal gun crimes trial against Hunter Biden that commenced on June 3.
Amid these unfolding events, Ron Palimere was advised by an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives not to surrender the original Form 4473. The directive was to provide only a copy if he deemed it necessary to comply with the authorities’ request.
This legal advisement indicates a procedural awareness about the sensitivity and legality of handling firearm purchase records. Meanwhile, Hunter Biden's ongoing trial has drawn significant attention, not least because of the noted presence of Secret Service personnel in the courtroom, despite their previous denials of involvement.
Tying back to Hunter Biden's personal disclosures, his admitted substance addiction at the time of the gun purchase contradicts his statement on Form 4473.
This contradiction forms a key element of the federal case against him, demonstrating the intertwined personal and procedural complexities of this case.
In conclusion, the involvement of the U.S. Secret Service in Hunter Biden's 2018 gun purchase case has brought to light several procedural and ethical questions surrounding the incident.
Evidence from new court documents and FBI testimonies suggests an overlap and potential conflict between different law enforcement bodies and shines a light on the legal issues surrounding Form 4473 compliance. The trial continues to unravel these layers, promising further insights into the workings of federal law enforcement related to high-profile individuals.
