JACKSONVILLE, FL – Peter Alexander Lawrence, 41, of Jacksonville, admitted in federal court today to deliberately falsifying information on a federal firearms form in a brazen attempt to illegally acquire a handgun. The Jacksonville resident faces a stiff penalty: up to five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set, leaving Lawrence in legal limbo.
According to court documents, Lawrence completed the ATF Form 4473 in March of 2023 while attempting to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer. On that critical form, he swore under penalty of perjury that he hadn’t been convicted of a felony punishable by more than a year in prison, and also claimed he had no prior misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. Both statements were outright lies.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Lawrence was, in fact, convicted in 2008 of a crime that carried a potential prison sentence exceeding one year. Further digging uncovered a 2018 conviction for misdemeanor domestic battery – a clear violation of federal firearms regulations. The lies were designed to circumvent the background check process and allow him to possess a weapon he was legally barred from owning.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, uncovering the discrepancies in Lawrence’s background. Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta is prosecuting the case, determined to hold Lawrence accountable for his deception. The ATF’s Tampa Field Division played a key role in building the case against Lawrence.
This case is being touted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aiming to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and community organizations. The program, launched with renewed emphasis in 2021, prioritizes community trust, violence prevention, and strategic enforcement.
While officials praise PSN’s aims, critics question whether such programs address the root causes of crime. Regardless, Lawrence’s conviction serves as a warning: lying on a federal firearms form is a serious offense with potentially severe consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on Lawrence’s sentencing.
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