November 17, 2015- Commonwealth v Luis K Mora:  On November 17, 2015 Judge Scott Arthur Evans sentenced Luis K Mora, age 30 Of Harrisburg, to one to four years in state prison after Mora pleaded guilty to Carrying a Firearm Without a License and Illegal Firearm Transfer charges.  On April 24, 2015, Mora was stopped by Harrisburg Police Officer Nick Ishman for a traffic violation.  Upon approaching the vehicle, Mora appeared very nervous.  A search of the car resulted in the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun under the passenger seat.  Mora, while eligible to purchase a firearm due to a very limited prior record, did not have a license to carry the firearm concealed.  Ishman then researched the handgun and discovered that the handgun was recently purchased at Gander Mountain in Lower Paxton Township. The purchaser of the gun told police that Mora instructed her to buy the gun and sell it to him in violation of state and federal law.  The female will also face firearm charges for straw purchasing the gun.    The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Stephen R. Zawisky who indicated the following:  Illegal gun possession is a major problem in the Commonwealth.  Illegally straw purchased handguns end up in the hands of drug dealers who use senseless violence to promote their trade.  Straw purchasing a handgun is a very serious offense and will result in jail time.   

NOTE:  In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, if a person illegally transfers a handgun to another person, they may be criminally liable for any offenses in which the gun used.  Additionally, illegal firearm transfers are typically graded as a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to seven years in prison.