Harry Trueblood, Unlicensed Firearms Sales, Missouri 2024

ST. LOUIS - A shocking tale of gun-running has come to light in St. Charles County, Missouri, leaving many questioning the ease of accessing firearms. Harry Trueblood, 69, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of being an unlicensed firearms dealer.

As part of his plea, Trueblood admitted selling firearms to multiple customers of at least 15 gun shows from January of 2021 through May of 2023 despite never having been licensed to deal in firearms and even after being warned that he was committing a crime. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating Trueblood after multiple guns recovered in unrelated crimes were traced back to him as the original purchaser.

Trueblood sold AR-15-type pistols and handguns to undercover ATF agents before the ATF on Feb. 1, 2023 sent him a cease and desist letter ordering him to stop dealing in firearms without a license. Despite this warning, Trueblood continued to sell guns, his plea agreement says.

Agents found at least 250 bills of sale reflecting firearms sales and have traced at least 30 guns recovered in connection with crimes to Trueblood.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuting the case.

Trueblood is scheduled to be sentenced March 4, 2024. The severity of the sentence remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the ease with which Trueblood was able to operate as an unlicensed firearms dealer is a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper licensing and regulation in the firearms industry. It is our hope that this case will serve as a deterrent to others who would seek to skirt the law and put the public at risk.

We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/st-charles-county-man-admits-unlicensed-sales-firearms