Man Avoids Felony Conviction After Gun Purchase Application Goes Awry

When you purchase a firearm in Pennsylvania, you must fill out a form that asks you certain questions about your criminal history. If you answer any of these questions incorrectly or incompletely, you could be charged with unsworn falsification related to a firearms form – a third-degree felony or second-degree misdemeanor.

Recently, a Pittsburgh man found himself facing these charges after he attempted to purchase a gun. Knowing he needed an experienced attorney to help him through the criminal process in Pennsylvania, he retained Samir Sarna of Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC.

While the client was convicted of a third-degree felony in the early 1990s, he hadn’t gotten into any trouble since and assumed he was eligible to purchase a firearm. However, he was denied and charged with unsworn falsification. Attorney Sarna took the case to a non-jury trial in front of a judge and achieved a not guilty verdict.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.