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American Guns - Wikipedia

  • ️Mon Oct 10 2011

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American Guns
Starring
  • Rich Wyatt
  • Renee Wyatt
  • Kurt Wyatt
  • Paige Wyatt
Theme music composerSwamp Cabbage
Opening themeTallahassee
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26 (list of episodes)
Production
Production locationWheat Ridge, Colorado
Running time60 minutes with commercials
Production companyGurney Productions
Original release
NetworkDiscovery Channel
ReleaseOctober 10, 2011 –
December 17, 2012

American Guns is a reality television series that aired on the Discovery Channel. The series centers on the blended family where patriarch Rich Wyatt, his wife Renee, and his step-children run Gunsmoke Guns, located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.[1] They specialize in gun manufacture, trade, customization, and instruction.[1]

On December 17, 2012, Discovery announced the cancellation of the series.[2]

  • Rich Wyatt — Founder/Owner, Firearms Instructor
  • Renee Wyatt — Co-Owner, Business Manager, Rich's wife
  • Kurt — Engraver,[3][unreliable source?] Sales Associate, Firearms Instructor
  • Paige — Sales Associate

Rich and Renee have 2 younger children who are not involved in the show due to their age.[4]

Gunsmiths & sales team

[edit]

  • Brian Meidal – Head gunsmith
  • Gary — Gunsmith/welder
  • Joe — Machinist
  • Jon — Gunsmith/painter
  • Scott Van Dorsten — Van Dorsten Custom Firearms
  • Bob — Gun historian
  • Ben — Sales associate
  • Chris — Machinist, sales associate
  • Brian — Sales associate
  • Doug - Machinist

The New York Times reviewed the show in the wake of the 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting, examining the American fascination with firearms. They described the show as combining the "haggling of Pawn Stars, the over-the-top customizing of American Chopper and a healthy dose of cleavage in a peppy package that resembles a hundred other small-business-based reality shows, except that the business in this case is the sale of deadly weapons". The reviewer notes that although some may be uncomfortable with the easy availability of guns in America, the audience of over 1 million viewers does not seem to have any such qualms.[5]

The season 2 premiere (April 26, 2012) drew strong ratings, up 50% on the season 1 premiere.[6][7]

Cancellation and controversy

[edit]

On December 17, 2012, Discovery announced the cancellation of the series. Discovery said the decision had been made earlier, it was only announced in December. A spokesperson said "Discovery Channel chose not to renew the series and has no plans to air repeats of the show." The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is thought to have played a part in the decision.[2][8]

Additionally, in March 2013 Gunsmoke Guns was served a search warrant for the premises by the Internal Revenue Service as "part of an ongoing financial investigation" that had been underway for several years according to an agency spokesperson. This took place shortly after a reported February 27 burglary where twelve handguns and three rifles were stolen by thieves who broke in through the roof of the shop.[9][10]

There was also speculation in the press that the IRS investigation was the result of Gunsmoke operator Rich Wyatt's remarks regarding pending Colorado legislation regarding gun purchase and ownership.[10]

In the last episode of season one, a man identified later as Wylie Newton attempted to sell an antique Colt pistol that had been stolen from a museum in New Mexico. A fan of the show that was familiar with the robbery recognized the gun and alerted authorities.[11]

On March 10, 2017 a federal jury convicted Rich Wyatt on ten felony counts related to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion. The jury found that Wyatt had failed to report 1.1 million dollars to the IRS. Furthermore it was revealed Wyatt had negotiated a deal with Discovery Channel when in fact he never did have federal firearms license, though instead used a straw license through Triggers, a gun store in Castle Rock.[12] Wyatt was sentenced to 78 months (6.5 years) in prison.[13]

The opening theme music is “Tallahassee” performed by Swamp Cabbage.[14][15]

  1. ^ a b "Contact Us | Gunsmoke Guns". Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  2. ^ a b Nellie Andreeva (December 17, 2012). "Discovery Series 'American Guns' Cancelled". Deadline Hollywood.
  3. ^ Brantley, Amy (16 June 2012). "Kurt Wyatt of American Guns Discusses Engraving". Yahoo Voices Network. Yahoo. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. ^ Miller, Victoria Leigh (6 June 2012). "'American Guns' Star Renee Wyatt Talks Parenting and Life as a TV Family". Yahoo! Voices. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  5. ^ Hale, Mike (26 July 2012). "Discovery's 'American Guns,' After Aurora". New York Times. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  6. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (26 April 2012). "'American Guns' Up 50% With Second Season Premiere On Discovery". TV by theNumbers. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  7. ^ "'American Guns' Premiers to Big Ratings on Discovery". The Futon Critic. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  8. ^ Harnick, Chris (18 December 2012). "'American Guns' Canceled: Discovery Pulls Series In Wake Of Newtown Shooting". Huffington Post.
  9. ^ Nguyen, Kim. "IRS raids Gunsmoke gun shop, store formerly featured in reality TV show 'American Guns' on Discovery". ABC Channel 7, Denver, CO. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  10. ^ a b Roberts, Michael. "American Guns' Gunsmoke Guns: Did Wyatt family rip off the I.R.S. for years?". Denver Westword. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  11. ^ Roberts, Michael. "Wylie Newton charged with stealing antique gun from museum, trying to sell it on TV". Denver Westword. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  12. ^ "Star of "American Guns" reality TV show convicted on 10 felony counts – The Denver Post". 10 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  13. ^ "Rich Wyatt of Discovery Channel's American Guns Sentenced to Prison - Westword". Retrieved 2018-05-06.
  14. ^ "Swamp Cabbage Lands Theme Song for American Guns". Archived from the original on 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  15. ^ According to the ending credits of the show.