New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of An Unregistered Firearm

          CONCORD, N.H. –Ryan Howe, 52, of Hanover, plead guilty today in United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith.

          On September 15, 2011, members of ATF New Hampshire and Vermont field offices and the Hanover Police Department executed a search warrant at Howe’s residence.  During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement seized eight firearms and a quantity of ammunition from Howe’s bedroom, including a Winchester Model 120 20-gauge short-barreled shotgun.  The shotgun had a barrel length of 16 inches, less than the required 18 inches.  In order to legally possess such a short-barreled shotgun, Howe was required to register the firearm and his ownership with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.   Howe never registered the short-barreled shotgun.

          Howe is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12, 2015.  He is facing a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.  He was released on conditions pending sentencing.

          The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Debra M. Walsh.