The Atson Jewellery and Gold store on Vancouver's Robson Street was robbed by three men on Tuesday. (CBC)

Vancouver police are looking into a jewelry-store heist, but it's not just the suspected thieves they are investigating.The store owner is also under scrutiny for allegedly shooting one of the thieves, police say.

The incident began when three men barged into the Atson Jewellery and Gold store on Robson Street near Homer Street around 10 a.m. PT on Tuesday . One began smashing jewelry cases with a hammer while another waved a gun around, police said.

Police say that's when the storeowner pulled out his own gun and shot at one of the men, possibly wounding him. All three men then fled the store, running down the street into a car waiting in an alley

Police say they are now interviewing several witnesses and the storeowner trying to piece together exactly what happened.

The owner of Atson Jewellery and Gold in Vancouver said he is not concerned about being the subject of a police investigation. (CBC)

"Our investigators are looking into all the details around the circumstances regarding the owner firing the shot," Const. Lindsay Houghton said on Wednesday.

The owner, who would not give his name when interviewed at the store on Wednesday, said he isn't worried about being the focus of a police investigation.

"No, I am not worried about myself, okay? We're fine — family fine — okay?" he said.

The owner did tell CBC News he's a hunter and a target shooter who knows how to use a gun. Police confirmed the owner's guns are legal, but said it's too early to know if the owner will be charged.

Police did say carrying a weapon for self-defence is against the law, and they are not in favour of storeowners keeping guns behind the counter and taking the law into their own hands.

"No one is allowed to have a gun on their premises for protection in the city. We have laws that govern the ownership and handling of guns. Anyone in possession of a gun has to have it safely stored in a designated place," said Insp. Eric Grummisch.

The owner, however, said the justice system wasn't giving him the protection he needs. Other passersby told CBC News small businesses have no choice but to defend themselves.

"That's absolutely the right thing to do .… It's time to take the streets back and stop having the city run by drug addicts," said off-duty security guard Vic Bender.