Jan. 27, 2010

GUN STORE OWNER IN HILL CITY PLEADS GUILTY TO SELLING FIREARMS WITHOUT A LICENSE

WICHITA, KAN. – James R. McVey, 86, Hill City, Kan., has pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a federal license, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

McVey, who operated The Gun Exchange at 104 E. Main in Hill City, Kan., admitted that on July 30, 2009, he sold a Weihrauch .357 caliber revolver and ammunition to a confidential informant working with investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

At the time of the sale, McVey did not have a federal firearms dealer license. His license was revoked Nov. 13, 2001. In February 2008, a federal judge ordered McVey to forfeit 513 firearms federal agents seized from his store in August 2005.

Sentencing is set for April 12, 2010. McVey faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Welch commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.