Charges Pending Over Gun Issues

A man from the Nechanitz area could face federal gun charges after accidentally shooting himself in the hand.

According to a report from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Michael Krenek and Deputy Craig Martell responded to a call from the Nechanitz area Tuesday morning, Dec. 14, reporting a man who accidentally shot himself. Upon arrival, the deputies learned the man was working on a pistol when it discharged. Fayette County EMS also arrived and treated the man’s injury.

“Deputies received information that the subject was a convicted felon who was still prohibited from possessing a firearm at this time,” the Sheriff’s report said.

Lt. David Beyer of the Sheriff’s Office said the deputies noticed several other firearms laying in plain sight. Beyer said the deputies discovered that one of the guns, an AR-15 rifle, had been modified to be capable of fully automatic fire. Modifying firearms in such a way has been illegal under federal law since 1986.

Beyer said investigators believe another person purchased the guns on behalf of the man who accidentally shot himself. Beyer said the Sgt. Ron Naumann of the Sheriff’s Office forwarded photos of the guns and information to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (ATF). He said the ATF was running a parallel investigation. He said the ATF would present charges to a federal prosecutor for federal gun law violations. The man also faces a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.

The man has not been arrested, Beyer said, but charges are pending. The Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the man’s name nor what his felony conviction was for. Beyer said he did not believe the man was a danger to anyone else.