⏱ 2 min read
Bryan Steven Etheridge, a 40-year-old Columbia County man, tried to buy a .40 caliber pistol from a local firearms dealer on May 10, 2025, but lied on the background check form, denying he was under a court order for domestic violence. The truth was, his wife had obtained an injunction against him in 2024, which was still in effect. Etheridge’s attempt to purchase the gun was a clear violation of federal law.
Etheridge’s case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rick Lasseter and David Mesrobian. The federal jury found him guilty of providing a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.
The guilty verdict puts Etheridge in line for a maximum of five years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 16, 2026. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative to combat violent crime and make communities safer.
The prosecution of Etheridge sends a strong message that providing false information to buy a gun will not be tolerated. The ATF and U.S. Attorney’s office are working together to keep guns out of the wrong hands and hold those who break the law accountable.
