Gun dealer arrested
By Gabriel Leiner/ Staff Writer
Friday, January 20, 2006
Federal agents seized more than 90 guns from the Farm Lane home of Richard Feinberg last week and charged him with dealing firearms without a license. Some of the weapons sold by Feinberg may have been traced to criminal activity, according to a press release from Michael Sullivan, US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
Feinberg, of 15 Farm Lane, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 12 for dealing firearms without a license, according to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF).
ATF agents seized more than 90 weapons from Feinberg’s home, including two suspected machine guns, for which Feinberg was not licensed, said Daniel Kumor, acting special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in New England.
"Early that morning (on Jan. 12), federal agents, including members of the ATF, executed a search warrant at ’We Are Guns,’ owned by Feinberg, and we are still cataloging guns found at Feinberg’s residence," Kumor said.
Kumor said he believes there is evidence Feinberg sold 29 guns unlawfully since June 2005.
Feinberg, 56, was arraigned and charged for dealing firearms without a license in federal court on the same day, Jan. 12, and according to Sullivan’s release, Feinberg faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
The investigation has also revealed that some of the weapons may have been traced to criminal activity, according to Sullivan’s release.
Feinberg was released on $50,000 cash bail Jan. 12 and will return to federal court Feb. 13.
Feinberg sold the guns through an online vending site called "We Are Guns," that states on its main page, "’We Are Guns’ is a licensed exporter of firearms."
Feinberg’s site stated that it was selling "Massachusetts Compliant Guns" made by Beretta, Glock, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, all in the price range of $300 to $800. The site also listed Bushmaster Rifles from $800 to $1200 and an "August 2005 Special" as a Barrett Semi-Automatic 50 caliber rifle.
According to Sullivan’s release, Feinberg previously held a valid license and surrendered it in June 2005 due to his failure to comply with federal regulations. But on six occasions since that time, Feinberg was accused of selling firearms to undercover ATF agents.
The case is still under investigation by Special Agent James McNally of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn A. MacKinlay, Project Safe Neighborhoods firearm program coordinator of Sullivan’s Major Crimes Unit.