Gun-Toting Felon Gupton Gets 7 Years

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Another thug off the streets. Peter Lewis Gupton, 41, of Birmingham, is headed to federal prison for seven years – 84 months, to be exact – after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor, a clear message that packing heat when you’re already a prohibited person won’t be tolerated.

The bust went down February 23, 2023, in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Birmingham police responded to reports of gunshots and quickly found themselves in pursuit of Gupton, who bolted on foot. It wasn’t a long chase. Officers cornered him hiding behind a dumpster, and that’s where the trouble really started to unravel. Gupton directed them to a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol stashed behind a bush at the Christ Health Center.

Turns out, the 9mm wasn’t just any gun; it had been reported stolen. Adding insult to injury, a 9mm shell casing was recovered near the scene of the shooting, strongly suggesting Gupton was involved in the initial gunfire. He’s now facing the consequences for a double-whammy of criminal activity. This wasn’t some accidental slip-up; this was a deliberate act by a repeat offender.

U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson announced the sentencing, highlighting the collaborative effort to keep the streets safe. This case isn’t an isolated incident, but a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.

PSN brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement with the communities they serve. The Department’s strategy focuses on building trust, supporting violence prevention programs, prioritizing enforcement, and – crucially – measuring the results. You can find more information on PSN at Justice.gov/PSN. It’s a systematic approach, and in this case, it worked.

The ATF and the Birmingham Police Department jointly investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer handling the prosecution. Gupton’s seven-year sentence serves as a stark reminder: if you choose to illegally possess a firearm in Alabama, you *will* face federal charges and serious time behind bars. Consider this a warning to others contemplating similar actions.