A Jacksonville man with a history of legal issues is back in prison after attempting to illegally purchase a firearm. U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger sentenced Peter Alexander Lawrence, age 42, to 18 months of confinement following his plea of guilty to charges of making false statements to a gun dealer, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The conviction stems from an incident in March 2023 when Lawrence was discovered lying on important paperwork—the ATF Form 4473—filled out in the process of procuring a firearm. He falsely declared on the form that he had not been previously convicted of crimes that could lead to over a year of imprisonment or domestic violence misdemeanors; both admissions were dishonest. Lawrence had indeed been previously convicted in 2008 for firearms offenses, sentenced to a similar period of incarceration, and again in 2018 for domestic battery.
Lawrence’s attempt to sidestep federal law was thwarted by the vigilance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta was responsible for bringing the case to a close in the legal system.
The prosecution echoes the ongoing efforts of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at unifying law enforcement agencies at all levels to curb violent crime and gun-related violence. Announced on May 26, 2021, by the Department, this endeavor emphasizes cultivating legitimacy and trust within communities, supporting organizations focused on community service to prevent violence, setting clear enforcement priorities, and diligently monitoring the outcomes of these efforts.
