JACKSONVILLE, FL – Scott Randall Chance, Jr., 22, of Jacksonville, has confessed to running a shadow gun shop, supplying illegal firearms and components capable of turning ordinary weapons into machineguns. Chance pleaded guilty this week to dealing firearms without a license and knowingly possessing a machinegun, charges stemming from a months-long investigation by federal and local law enforcement.
The bust began in October 2022 when investigators identified Chance as a key source for untraceable firearms and the dangerous “machinegun conversion devices” (MCDs) circulating in Duval and St. Johns counties. These devices allow a semi-automatic weapon to mimic the rapid-fire capabilities of a fully automatic machinegun – a clear violation of federal law. Undercover officers quickly moved to infiltrate Chance’s operation.
Between February and July 2023, Chance repeatedly sold weapons and MCDs directly to an undercover law enforcement officer. The transactions weren’t one-offs; Chance engaged in four separate sales, demonstrating a clear pattern of illegal activity. In total, he offloaded six firearms and three MCDs, fueling the black market and putting dangerous weapons into the hands of individuals investigators believe intended to use them for criminal purposes.
Federal prosecutors are now preparing to argue for a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison when Chance is sentenced. Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh is handling the prosecution, and sources within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicate they will push for the full penalty given the gravity of the charges and the potential for harm caused by Chance’s actions.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being touted as a success for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. But for residents of Jacksonville, the case serves as a stark reminder of the constant flow of illegal weapons into their communities.
The Department of Justice, through the PSN program, claims to be fostering trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, and focusing enforcement efforts. However, critics argue that the program often prioritizes arrests over addressing the root causes of crime, leaving communities vulnerable to continued violence and illicit gun trafficking. The sentencing date for Scott Randall Chance, Jr. has not yet been set, but Grimy Times will continue to follow this case.
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