A Cedar Park man, Andrew Darley Pennington, 40, has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for unlicensed firearms dealings and lying to agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Court documents highlighted that Pennington used a gun broker website to advertise and sell firearms shortly after their purchase, contradicting the federal requirement for dealers to be officially licensed.
Digging deeper into the details reveals that Pennington, over the course of seven months, bought over 200 firearms which raises questions about the sheer volume of weapons one individual found able to amass this, coupled with approximately 18,430 rounds of ammunition, were seized from his residence on December 2, 2021. The revelation follows the ATF's firm stance against the unregulated sale of firearms which they underscore as harmful, since such transactions often escape the formal oversight that might prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands.
In an incident that mirrored his clandestine dealing of firearms, Pennington misled ATF investigators during an interview, denying he had shipped firearms since 2016 when, in actuality, he had facilitated the transport of guns to California and Nevada throughout 2021. This false statement to federal agents added a layer of deceit to his already unlawful activities.
This case comes amidst ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb illegal firearms trafficking, with "firearms dealing without licensing is a form of firearms trafficking which is a top investigative priority for ATF," according to Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel for the ATF Houston Division, as stated in the court documents. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza emphasized the seriousness of the crime, advocating for staunch prosecution against such violations, "Federal law forbids anyone who is not properly licensed from engaging in the business of dealing in firearms," further strengthening the legal framework that seeks to maintain public safety by mitigating the risks associated with unlicensed firearms distribution.
The aftermath of Pennington's arms dealings leaves a clear message: those flouting gun regulations and breaching trust with regulatory bodies will face significant repercussions. The forfeiture of the 32 firearms Pennington held is symbolic of an effort to dismantle the pathways illicit arms might follow, aiming to secure a thread of safety in the complex fabric of American society.
