'Largest gun seizure' in Shoshone County

PINEHURST — Long-range weapons, homemade silencers, thousands of rounds of ammo, untraceable firearms and a miniature cannon were seized during the execution of a search warrant Monday in Pinehurst. 

In total, 18 firearms were seized by the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office with support from the Pinehurst Police Department and assistance from the local tactical medical unit. 

"This is the largest gun seizure we are aware of for the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office," the sheriff's office reported on social media.

Shoshone County Sheriff's Capt. Seth Green said gunpowder, fentanyl and methamphetamine were also seized during the Silver Valley Task Force search, along with the arsenal of firearms.

“The mini cannon, it actually works," Green said. "That’s a first for me."

Michael William Luma, 46, of Pinehurst, was arrested and charged with felony unlawful possession of firearms, two counts of possession of a controlled substance schedule II and possession of paraphernalia related to a controlled substance.

The untraceable firearms seized are something the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives refers to as “ghost guns.” According to a 2022 Department of Justice memo through the BATF, ghost guns are unserialized, untraceable handguns and assault-style weapons. Tools for creating the ghost guns were also recovered at the site.

The Silver Valley Task Force determined that evidence at the scene suggested the firearms had been fired out of the residence toward other houses in the community. Law enforcement personnel were grateful the search warrant was executed safely for all involved. 

The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office made a statement saying it is pro-Second Amendment rights, but will enforce cases involving a felony possession of firearms.  

    Law enforcement from the Silver Valley Drug Task Force pose with the firearms and materials seized Monday.