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Harrisburg Gun Runner Shearer Gets 9+ Years
HARRISBURG, PA – Philip Shearer, 49, of Harrisburg, is headed to federal prison for nearly a decade after being sentenced to 115 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release on July 14, 2025. Shearer pled guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, a short-barrel rifle he manufactured himself, bypassing legal purchase channels.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Dukes, laid bare a disturbing pattern of escalating criminal behavior. Shearer wasn’t just a first-time offender; he sported a rap sheet boasting 14 prior convictions, including five DUIs, an indecent assault, and a domestic violence charge. Twice, Shearer attempted to legally purchase a firearm, but was flagged and denied due to his criminal history. Rather than accept the rejection, he decided to build his own.
But the illegal rifle wasn’t Shearer’s only obsession. A search of his Harrisburg home revealed a significant stockpile of ammunition – over 1,000 rounds – along with several high-capacity magazines. Adding to the unsettling picture were tactical items like night vision goggles and a ghillie suit, suggesting Shearer wasn’t simply collecting guns, but preparing for something more sinister.
“The sentencing of Philip Shearer emphasizes the serious dangers posed by felons who unlawfully possess and manufacture firearms,” stated Edward V. Owens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia. “Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to collaborating with our law enforcement partners…to ensure that dangerous criminals with a history of violence are not allowed to possess firearms.” Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division, echoed the sentiment, stating, “With 14 criminal convictions…the law duly prohibits him from owning the unregistered short-barrel rifle he manufactured.”
The investigation was a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, demonstrating a coordinated approach to tackling illegal firearms trafficking. This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and stemming the flow of illegal immigration – and, crucially, removing dangerous criminals from the streets.
Shearer’s case serves as a stark reminder that the Second Amendment isn’t a free pass for those with violent histories and a disregard for the law. The Grimy Times will continue to track federal prosecutions like this one, holding accountable those who threaten the safety and security of our communities. The full details of Operation Take Back America can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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