Rifleman Dealer Busted with Illegal Anti-Tank Gun

MACON, GA – Mark Mann, the owner and operator of local gun shop Mann’s World, LLC d/b/a The Rifleman, has been convicted of federal charges stemming from the possession of an unregistered and highly dangerous weapon. A jury found Mann guilty on April 6, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell.

The case originated with a tip to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The previous owner of a Finnish Lahti 20mm anti-tank rifle alerted authorities after two checks issued from Mann’s business account to purchase the weapon bounced due to insufficient funds. This raised immediate red flags. A subsequent search warrant executed on December 30, 2014, at Mann’s World, LLC, yielded the seizure of the illegal weapon.

Federal law mandates registration of destructive devices, including machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, and any weapon exceeding .50 caliber. The Lahti 20mm anti-tank rifle clearly falls into the latter category. Investigators discovered the weapon was never registered to Mark Mann, who allegedly attempted to exploit his status as a licensed firearms dealer to circumvent the law. The ATF moved quickly to investigate and bring the case to trial.

United States Attorney G.F. Peterman, III, minced no words regarding the severity of the offense. “A Federal Firearms Licensee, such as Mark Mann, is someone who is trusted to know and follow the law regarding firearms, especially when dealing with dangerous instrumentalities such as this weapon, an anti-tank rifle, which is far more powerful and capable of far more destruction than weapons available to the general public. Mr. Mann chose to violate that trust and now must bear the responsibility for that choice,” Peterman stated.

ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Schmidt echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to tackling criminal activity. “The ATF’s involvement in securing this guilty verdict is a prime example of the successful use of federal laws to confront, engage and eliminate criminal activity. Criminals must understand there are serious repercussions for those who violate federal law, and that regulatory enforcement and law enforcement personnel will contribute all necessary time and effort to ensure that these individuals are brought to justice,” Schmidt said.

Mann now faces sentencing in approximately 60 days. He is looking at a maximum penalty of ten (10) years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly S. Easterling and Michael T. Solis. Anyone with questions regarding this case is directed to contact Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 752-3511.