Kenneth Kirkpatrick, Gun Trafficking, New Hampshire 2023

CONCORD, N.H. – Another thug off the streets, another gun kept out of the wrong hands. Kenneth Kirkpatrick, 33, of Manchester, admitted in federal court Monday to illegally hawking firearms – a clear violation for a man with a criminal record. The feds finally caught up to him.

According to court documents, law enforcement got a tip Kirkpatrick was running a little side business selling guns. On July 26, 2018, he actually sold a firearm, ammunition, and accessories to a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). A simple transaction for Kirkpatrick, but a federal felony given his past. He wasn’t supposed to have a gun, let alone be selling them.

U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray didn’t mince words: “In order to keep violent crime under control, we must keep firearms out of the hands of criminals,” he stated. Sounds good on paper. Whether it’ll actually make a dent in the bloodshed remains to be seen. But Kirkpatrick’s days of dealing are over, at least for now.

The investigation was a joint effort between the ATF and the Manchester Police Department, proving that sometimes, the local and federal boys can actually work together. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is handling the prosecution. Don’t expect a slap on the wrist; this isn’t a traffic ticket.

This case falls under the umbrella of ATF’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” – a federally-funded initiative designed to reduce gun violence. Translation: a lot of taxpayer money spent on identifying and prosecuting guys like Kirkpatrick. The program focuses on training, public education, and, crucially, aggressive enforcement. It’s a never-ending cycle.

Kirkpatrick’s sentencing date hasn’t been set yet, but expect a significant stretch. A convicted felon caught peddling firearms? He’s looking at serious time. Grimy Times will be there when the judge hands down the sentence. Stay tuned.

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