-Because they couldn't keep their own employees from stealing them!

http://www.wyff4.com/news/5357556/detail.html

Four Plead Guilty In Gun Theft Operation
Easley Man Was Ringleader Of Group

POSTED: 3:45 pm EST November 18, 2005
UPDATED: 4:07 pm EST November 18, 2005

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COLUMBIA -- Federal prosecutors said one of the largest gun theft and
trafficking rings in South Carolina history came to an end Friday
with four guilty pleas.

William Shane Ninan, 26, of Easley, Julius Rozell Barnes, 27, of
Columbia, Gary Matthew Martin, 25, of Gaffney, and Sterling Serrone
Leeper, 26, of Columbia, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell
handguns stolen from their place of employment, the United Parcel
Service hub facility in West Columbia.

U.S. Attorney Johnny Gasser said Ninan recruited his three co-
defendants to participate in the scheme to steal firearms from UPS
and illegally sell them to others.

Gasser said the evidence showed that the four began to steal firearms
in April 1999. Each of the men were employed with UPS during 1999 and
2000.

Gasser said the four diverted numerous packages being sent by
firearms manufacturers and wholesalers through the UPS facility, then
sold the guns across the nation. Some of the guns were recovered in
California, he said.

Gasser said Ninan admitted that the group stole more than 200
handguns during their time at UPS.

The four will be sentenced at a later date.