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This Guy Received a Semiautomatic Rifle in the Mail After He Ordered a TV — What Happened?

Rifle Meant for Firearms Dealer Accidentally Delivered to D.C. Man Who Ordered a TV

Seth Horvitz living in Washington, D.C., was accidentally shipped a rifle instead of a flat screen TV through a third-party seller on Amazon.com. (Photo: MyFoxDC)

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — A Washington musician who ordered a flat-screen TV from Amazon.com was bit confused when he first received a box smaller than he expected. He was shocked when he opened the package and saw semiautomatic rifle instead.

Seth Horvitz, 38, says he purchased the 39-inch television from a third-party seller on the website. Given the size of the box that arrived from UPS on Tuesday evening, he initially thought it contained accessories.

But when he opened it, he found a Sig Sauer military-style rifle. He says he had never held a gun before he felt the trigger of the rifle. MyFoxDC reports Horvitz’s reaction to his stunning delivery:

“I just flipped out, I didn’t know what … how could that happen, you know?” Horvitz said. “It was absurd to think it could just be left out in the hallway first of all and this kind of mix up could happen.”

An invoice showed that the gun was intended for delivery to a firearms dealer in Duncansville, Pa. Horvitz called police, who took the gun and are investigating how the mistaken shipment occurred. Amazon and UPS had no immediate comment.

MyFoxDC has more on how such a mix-up could occur:

Daniel Vice with The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, there are “Not many restrictions. You can’t ship a handgun through the Postal Service, but you can ship it by any other common carrier. Rifles and shotguns, even assault rifles, can be shipped through just about anyone.”

[...]

 

According to The Florida Gun Exchange, the rifle was shipped properly, according to law with the correct address on the box.

But in transit, the label with Horvitz’s address somehow came off the box with the television and was attached to the box with the gun.

“Whoever made the mistake, it’s pretty serious. I think it should be followed up,” said Horvitz.

Watch the full report:

 

DCist also interviewed Horvitz, and he said this experience has made him “think twice about the lack of information about third-party sellers on Amazon.”

 Featured image from Seth Horvitz via DCist. 
Update: This story has been updated to change the term “assault rifle” to “semiautomatic rifle.” A Blaze reader called to our attention that for a rifle to be considered an assault rifle, it would have automatic fire mode. The weapon delivered to Horvitz was semiautomatic. 

(H/T: Gizmodo)

Comments (177)

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  • Isaiah52021
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:21am

    This is a fabricated story because to purchase this type of rifle it is sent to a licensed dealer and you have to pick it there. Something very fishy here. More gun control propaganda.

    Report Post » Isaiah52021  
    • Thors Hammer
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:28am

      Obviously he is supposed to take the rifle and go ‘get his own’ TV. As with some items – some assembly required – this one has ‘some hunting involved’. Happy hunting.

      Report Post »  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:37am

      Man….this only happens to other people…………I go shipped a wrong item, and it was a lousey flat screen TV….bummer…

      Report Post »  
    • antrancher
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:49am

      I agree. This is a set up for gun control. Hogwash!

      Report Post »  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:54am

      You said it, anything of that nature requires a signature by the TRUE recipiant, and can’t be just left in the hallway. This is total BS.

      Report Post »  
    • oldasdirt
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:07am

      More lies from the OblameO cartel.2nd amendment under attack. Story is BS.

      Report Post » oldasdirt  
    • watersRpeople
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:10am

      Well, I guess the President is going to have to take over the Internet then? Then, he’s just gonna have to take your guns away, because ignorant children shouldn’t be playing with guns. I mean, if you won’t protect the entire Constitution – that God gave to the Founding Fathers – well then I know people will not defend the 2nd Amendment. Therefore I’ll be taking your guns away, because they might as well be toothpicks.

      Report Post »  
    • ScreaminEagle
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:11am

      I have a nice flat screen TV I would have traded him for the rifle. What an idiot.

      Report Post » ScreaminEagle  
    • watersRpeople
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:12am

      Children who turned into hogs shouldn’t be playing with guns, and they scatter it around like wasted pearls.

      Report Post »  
    • Maji
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:13am

      This is probaly bull but just for my two cents!
      This is why you should use Fedex.
      When have to use UPS I also have to alert
      the neighbors that they might get my package!

      Report Post »  
    • watersRpeople
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:18am

      Even I see the United States as a waste of my time. Because you were supposed to see it for what it was, but you’re slothful, and wicked. You were supposed to have seen [in the creation of the U.S] the decay that came upon the earth since the beginning of the world.

      Report Post »  
    • watersRpeople
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:23am

      You morons keep looking for the Antichrist, when the Antichrist came and went hundreds and hundreds of years ago.

      Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:27am

      Never saw a UPS label I could get off a package in less then 100 pieces and not half destroying the box. This is going to be interesting.
      I would love to see updates on this one.

      Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:33am

      watersRpeople

      So leave idiot and stop bothering people that have to pay for you

      Report Post »  
    • neither1
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:01pm

      Did you read this?

      According to The Florida Gun Exchange, the rifle was shipped properly, according to law with the correct address on the box.

      But in transit, the label with Horvitz’s address somehow came off the box with the television and was attached to the box with the gun.

      Report Post »  
    • Crimson Aviator
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:28pm

      Go back and read again. The rifle’s true destination WAS a federally licensed firearm dealer in PA. They believe that the TV‘s label somehow came off and got stuck to the rifle’s box.

      Report Post »  
    • Popp40
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:42pm

      I agree, there is more to this story then what is being reported and it is another way to do away with the 2nd admend….don’t be surprised if the next incident that happens the gun that will be used will be sent to the person via the mail…..

      Report Post »  
    • Maji
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:58pm

      I actually just got a package this morning through UPS!
      The box is supposed to be roughly 20″ high but it’s 18″
      on one and 16″ on the other.
      I got turned off with UPS back in the 90s when they said
      guns were going to haved to be shipped “Red Label” because
      of employee theft!!
      You pay more for service because they hire thevies!
      After this story if true or not will cost you more!

      Report Post »  
    • iguana
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:16pm

      An invoice showed that the gun was intended for delivery to a firearms dealer in Duncansville, Pa. Horvitz called police, who took the gun and are investigating how the mistaken shipment occurred. Amazon and UPS had no immediate comment.

      Report Post »  
    • Kolchack
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 5:22pm

      You’re absolutely correct. The story says a weapon can be shipped to almost anyone, that is simply not true. You can buy a weapon online from several different sources, but it must be shipped to a person with a Federal Firearms License. The license holder will then do all the necessary paperwork and charge a small fee before transferring the weapon too you.

      Report Post » Kolchack  
    • FoxholeAtheist
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 5:25pm

      This article is just like the Bible. If you don’t like what it says, you just ignore it.

      Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:05pm

      Nice rifle. He got the best part of the trade. Now buy a TV. I wish someone would send me a SIG. Our very own DOJ and ATF believe it is okay to send AKs to folks who just might use them against us, this just happens to be a higher quality rifle.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:06pm

      ps Judging by his home decor I don’t think he knows how to use the rifle he should forward it to me.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:45pm

      ►Isaiah52021
      ►mikem1969
      Guys, you’re right, a rifle cant be shipped to his house. It has to go to an FFL and be signed for. That is why he was shipped a “TV” in a box and the FFL probably signed for a “RIFLE” in a box. Only that wasn’t what was in the box(es).
      Get it?
      You can ship anything if they don’t look in the box.
      Durrr…

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • ThemDemsLie2much
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:38am

      Another fast and furious trick. You’d think they would learn from the last lie they tried to tell.
      This is a liberal being stupid as usual. Nice try morons.

      Report Post » ThemDemsLie2much  
    • guns-an-bibles
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:51am

      Makes me wanna buy a tv from Amazon…

      Report Post » guns-an-bibles  
    • John11211
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:35pm

      He got upgraded

      Report Post »  
  • Inlandmar2
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:19am

    He got it fast and he was furious!

    Report Post » Inlandmar2  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:18am

    Umm a 150.00 used TV he gets a 700.00 sig,This is a no brainer.Duh liberals have no brains.He really wanted to watch Msnbc.

    Report Post » scrapadapolis  
    • neither1
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:04pm

      He’s a liberal? How do you know? What did I miss?

      Report Post »  
    • South Philly Boy
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:03pm

      How about $1700 + for SIG 716

      Report Post » South Philly Boy  
    • docvet
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:12pm

      That’s what I was thinking. He should shut up and go order another TV. The worst that can happen is he will get a TV. The best is that he will end up with an arsenal at an 80% discount.

      Report Post »  
    • FlagWavingPatriot
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:07pm

      How do we know he’s a liberal? We don’t. But I know where I’d place my bet.

      How many self-respecting conservatives do you know that would “freak out” in that situation? Sounds like a typical liberal sissy to me.

      Then again, the entire story is likely bunk…so many are these days.

      Report Post »  
  • Tyson
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:15am

    Why don’t things like this ever happen to me? Has to be a liberal anti-gun twit, no self respecting patriot would ever report it. New in the box assault rifle, no transfer paper work, Assault rifles from Heaven!

    Report Post » Tyson  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:23am

      Yea, I’d be like BONUS! Whoo Hoo! I’d find more money to try again for the TV.

      Report Post »  
  • loneindividual
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:15am

    I use to work in a warehouse……

    THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

    LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

    Report Post » loneindividual  
  • termyt
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:12am

    Daniel Vice with The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, there are “Not many restrictions. You can’t ship a handgun through the Postal Service, but you can ship it by any other common carrier. Rifles and shotguns, even assault rifles, can be shipped through just about anyone.”

    This is a bold face lie. In order to legally receive any firearm through a delivery service, you must have a license enabling you to do so. Note the intended recipient of the rifle was a gun shop, presumably with a Federal Firearms License.

    Report Post »  
    • eagle2715
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:47am

      Not only that, you CAN ship firearms through the postal service. You have to ship them to yourself from yourself. My buddy does it every year with his slug gun when he comes out to visit… Through USPS… These guys are idiots…

      Report Post » eagle2715  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:10am

    Upon opening the box Seth was horrified,what is this alien thing before me? I can’t make an omelette with this.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:22am

      @progslayer. Breaking eggs is what he did by calling the cops. I wished they would have cited him for making a dumbass call. i’d rather have the sig. but the decent thing to do would have been to return it to the sender or the intended reciever.

      Report Post » circleDwagons  
    • tripl-e
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:56pm

      @Circledwagons
      The minute he stepped foot outside his apartment with the sig in his possession he was a felon. Sadly, calling the cops was his best move. I don’t like it, but that’s the way it is.

      Report Post »  
  • the_system_disconnect
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:10am

    Awesome story. I would have kept the rifle :D

    Also, yeah, kind of poor article writing…. just sayin.

    Report Post » the_system_disconnect  
    • Female
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:17am

      Agreed.

      In Washington, DC to have accidentally and untracably receive an assault weapon. I would have thought it was a gift from either my parents for safety or God. Unless of course, the purchasing of the bullets required a special license?

      Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:04am

    Screw the tv, gimme the gun…..

    Report Post »  
  • cristo52
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:03am

    So what is this a “Blaze/AP/MYFOXDC” report? It’s less than 300 words with sentences like, “He says he had never held a gun before he felt the trigger of the rifle.” It’s like reading a high school weekly. Hire and editor.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:15am

      “Hire and editor.” Don’t bother sending in a resume!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Melika
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:21am

      The byline is Liz Klimas, what did you expect? She must have been hired as part of an Affirmative Action ploy to show they hire mentally disabled (retarded? differently enabled? moronic?) people who happen to also be female and most assuredly not male. Every article she posts is a lesson in stupid writing. I wouldn‘t be surprised if she’ll eventually devolve into teenage text-ing with no punctuation and all caps.

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:04am

      Was she the writer that came from HuffPo?

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:06am

      No, I am wrong. She sounds like an intelligent girl:
      “Liz Klimas is the technology and science editor for The Blaze. Prior to joining the team in August 2011, she worked as a government contractor in Washington, D.C., where she maintains her residence. Graduating from Hillsdale College as a Bachelor of Science, Liz also has interned for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Association for Women in Science. When she’s not writing for The Blaze about the latest tech gadgets, scientific advancements, someone skydiving with a helmet-cam strapped on, or bugs, she enjoys singing musicals while she bakes mini-pies.”

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:01am

    Its No Ordinary Testosterone Booster!

    Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:00am

    I‘m sure he’s a liberal… Only a liberal would throw a hizzy fit.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:00am

    …
    With all the unrest in America right now, I think I would rather have the rifle instead of the TV.

    Report Post »  
    • starman70
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:17am

      HELL YEAH!!!! With all the coming political violence which will be coming in the near future, hwe would be far better off with the rifle than with the TV, that is if he even knows how to use it.

      I bet he never was in the military and being a city boy, I bet he has never shot a rifle in his life.

      I wish they had sent me that rifle.

      Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:56am

    WOW……talk about a metrosexual! At the age of 38, he has never held a gun before!

    Pathetic!

    Report Post »  
  • orlandojon
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:56am

    The dumb sot calls the cops, he could have simply had UPS return it. Now we have fodder for the liberal media to make political hay out of it

    Report Post »  
    • Hrothgar
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:48am

      Exactly what I was thinking. All he has to do is call UPS and say it is an “unclaimed package” or at least that’s how it is done with FedEx. It’s not hard to rectify, but by calling the cops you open up an entire can of worms that will entice the anti-gun a$$hats into frenzy over the “see how easy it is to get a gun”. This should have been a non-story, return the gun to the shipper so that they can get it to it’s rightful owner.

      Report Post » Hrothgar  
    • guns-an-bibles
      Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:59am

      orlandojon

      “fodder for the liberal media to make political hay” is exactly what the liberal press wants from this story.
      That is why the story came out.

      Report Post » guns-an-bibles  
  • copatriots
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:54am

    Is this the new distribution roll-out for F&F? Stunning that it ended up in D.C. instead of somewhere in Mexico.

    Report Post »  
  • Dan
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:53am

    Coming up: Legislation to further restrict shipments of firearms…

    Report Post »  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:53am

    What a jerk. Obviously a mistake was made. No need to get the police involved. Ship it back, get your tv, problem solved. How long do you think this will take to fix now that the cops have the seller’s gun?

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
  • barber2
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:52am

    Was the return address labelled E. Holder/ DOJ ?

    Report Post »  
    • Hrothgar
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:50am

      1600 Pennsylvania Ave. C/O Barak Obama
      Knock or Ring Door Bell

      Report Post » Hrothgar  
  • Interceptor911
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:52am

    Man, I wish someone would send me a Sig rifle. Keep the flipping tv. Figures a hippie would freak out over that.

    Report Post »  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:50am

    Sad how people are being “trained” to fear guns. Guns should be everywhere and ALL gun laws are unconstitutional!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » BeingThere  
  • S2S
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:50am

    I’d have kept the Sig.

    Report Post » S2S  
  • leasecommander
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:49am

    Does he want to sell it ????

    Report Post »  
  • w4rpedfr4me
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:47am

    Call the cops?!? That’s like winning the lottery. Friggin’ loser.

    Report Post » w4rpedfr4me  
  • www.TopTheNews.com
    Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:46am

    Not a bad trade-off, especially for a Sig…

    Report Post » www.TopTheNews.com  
    • newtwahoo
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:51am

      I’d trade that Sig for a 39 inch flat screen ANYTIME…..

      Report Post »  
    • newtwahoo
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:55am

      Got that right !!

      Report Post »  
    • Xyskalla
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:09pm

      The TV is a better weapon anyway. It’s easier to take over a country with a TV than with a gun.

      Report Post »  
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