The ATF is known for its handling of cases involving alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. It is how it handles them that is the problem. And now they are coming to Missouri. Two senior citizen men have been charged with unlawfully selling firearms without a federal license. One of the men resides in Poplar Bluff.
Defendants
Foxworthy, 81, of California, Missouri, was charged with dealing firearms in Morgan and Moniteau Counties from approximately June 2023 through September 2024. He did not have a federal firearms license to sell firearms. Foxworthy was also charged with possession of a rifle with a barrel length less than 16 inches. That rifle was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
The other accused person is Philip Leroy Rains, 75, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, who was charged with dealing firearms in Morgan County from approximately April 2023 through April 2024. He also did not have a federal firearms license to sell firearms.
Punishment
Each man can spend many years in jail and face fines. Additionally, Foxworthy may have to surrender his firearm collection, dating back to the 1800s, and his ammunition.
Crime
The crime was selling firearms without authorization. At their age, and considering the size of their collections, one wonders if the ATF actually believes they are making the neighborhoods in Missouri safer by not allowing old men to sell their guns. Under Biden, the ATF was given authority to make neighborhoods safer from gun violence. The ATF enforces Biden’s law that anyone engaging in a business involving the dealing, manufacturing, or importing of firearms, or manufacturing or importing ammunition, must get an FFL (federal firearm license). Will arresting two men well over age 70 make neighborhoods safer?
The Justice Department defined a dealer as a person whose trade or business consists wholly or partly in manufacturing, trading, exchanging, hiring, repairing, or converting firearms, parts, and ammunition.
Missouri Law
Missouri does not have its own state-level firearm dealer license requirement. You can sell guns in Missouri without a federal license. Private gun sellers are not obliged to run background checks in Missouri. Additionally, Cash for Arms allows Missourians to sell guns from the comfort of their homes.
The ATF released a press release regarding the situation. Missourians will be watching the outcome of this case. AltonMo.com has reached out to Attorney General Bailey for his response on this case.
