125 Illegal Firearms Seized from Simi Valley Home

A long running gun trafficking investigation ended with the discovery of more than 125 illegal firearms and over 100 thousand rounds of ammunition inside a Simi Valley residence.

Here’s the breakdown 👇

Read this especially if you follow gun trafficking cases, California firearm laws, or Ventura County criminal investigations.

📍 What Happened

A year long investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Program led detectives to 32 year old Luke Bancroft of Simi Valley, who they suspected of buying guns out of state and illegally bringing them into California. The case focused on repeated firearm purchases that did not comply with California registration and transport laws.

On November 4, 2025, detectives conducted a traffic stop on Bancroft and found two loaded, unregistered pistols inside his vehicle. That discovery triggered a deeper search of his home.

🔍 What Investigators Found

A search warrant executed by the California Department of Justice uncovered:

• More than 125 firearms
• Over 100 thousand rounds of ammunition
• Hundreds of firearm magazines
• Two firearm suppressors
• A short barreled shotgun
• Fourteen weapons classified as assault weapons under California law
• Evidence of out of state firearm purchases
• Psilocybin mushrooms
• Documentation suggesting attempts to bypass California firearm regulations

Many of the guns were reportedly acquired in states with more relaxed purchasing laws and then transported to California without proper disclosures.

🚨 What Authorities Say

Detectives report that Bancroft appeared to be building a large, unregistered private arsenal but have not yet found evidence that he intended to harm the public.

The District Attorney has filed multiple charges, including:

• Fourteen counts of possessing an assault weapon
• Two counts of possessing a silencer
• Two counts of carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle
• One count of possessing a short barreled rifle
• One count of possessing a controlled substance

Bancroft was booked into the Pre Trial Detention Facility and later posted bail. The investigation continues to determine how many firearms came from out of state and whether other individuals are involved.

⚖️ Why the Case Matters

This seizure is one of the largest firearm recoveries in Ventura County in recent years. It highlights:

• The scale of illegal gun trafficking pipelines into California
• How state and federal agencies work together to track weapon purchases across state lines
• The role of specialized gun violence task forces in preventing potential mass harm
• Growing concerns about unregistered arsenals hidden in residential neighborhoods

Authorities emphasize that cases like this are a reminder of how easily firearms can circulate outside legal channels.

🧠 The Bottom Line

Detectives seized more than 125 illegal guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and multiple prohibited accessories from a Simi Valley home. The suspect faces a long list of felony firearm charges while investigators work to uncover the full scope of the operation.