A shocking discovery was made in Long Island, where a 67-year-old man, Wen-Lone Chou, allegedly turned his basement into a makeshift shooting range filled with a dangerous arsenal of self-built machine guns. This illegal operation was located just a short distance from several schools in Mineola, including Chaminade High School and an elementary school.
Authorities arrested Chou after a year-long investigation that uncovered a disturbing cache of firearms in his home. Among the weapons found were seven assault-style rifles, a home-assembled fully automatic MP5-style weapon, a 9mm ghost gun with illegal parts, 78 high-capacity magazines hidden in the ceiling, six suppressors, and approximately 6,000 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, a rapid-fire switch capable of turning rifles into machine guns was also discovered.
The only legal weapon found in Chou’s possession was an old bolt-action hunting rifle. Investigators also found five completed lower frames, parts for assembling another MP5-style firearm, and components that could convert AR-style weapons into fully automatic firearms.
What shocked authorities the most was the presence of a fully functioning 25-foot underground firing tunnel in Chou’s basement. The walls of the tunnel were lined with blue tarps to contain debris and sound, and a four-inch-thick plywood target was riddled with bullet holes. Chou allegedly used suppressors while firing in the tunnel to avoid detection by neighbors and children in the area.
The investigation into Chou began in January 2025 after he was identified as a frequent online buyer of gun parts from multiple retailers. He had purchased around 112 firearm-related components in the previous year, raising red flags for law enforcement. Despite having his Nassau County pistol permit revoked in 1999 after a domestic incident, Chou had no prior arrests, adding to concerns about his escalating pattern of purchases.
Prosecutors are now trying to determine whether Chou’s actions were driven by a passion for guns gone too far or if there was a more sinister motive behind his activities. There is currently no evidence to suggest that he was selling the weapons or planning an attack.
Chou pleaded not guilty in Hempstead court and his bail was set at $250,000 cash, $625,000 bond, or $1.25 million partially secured. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison for his illegal firearms operation.
