PA man indicted for alleged gun sales, smuggling to Canadian buyers

( WJET/WFXP )– A federal grand jury in Erie has indicted a Pennsylvania man on three charges for an alleged scheme to sell and smuggle firearms to multiple buyers in Canada.

United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced the indictment Wednesday naming 44-year-old Gary James Murray of Saint Marys, PA as the lone defendant saying he conspired to and shipped Glock pistols, which are illegal in Canada, to buyers in the country.

Murray is charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit firearms smuggling, unlawful transfer of a firearm to an out-of-state resident, and firearms smuggling.

From October 1, 2022, to April 4, 2024, Murray allegedly worked with multiple buyers in Canada via encoded messages on Telegram and then purchased the guns from local vendors to be disassembled and shipped to British Columbia with reassembly instructions.

Murray allegedly used household items like glue guns, camping kits, and staplers to conceal the weapon parts and made as much as $20,000 in payments from late January and early February 2024.

“Far from being a victimless crime, trafficking presents a grave threat to public safety. Through enhanced cooperation and coordination with Canadian authorities, including expanded access to the eTrace systems, we disrupted this international firearms trafficking operation, keeping many illegal guns from criminals in the U.S. and Canada,” said Eric DeGree, special agent in charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division.

If convicted, Murray faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $750,000, or both with the actual sentence being based on the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history.

An indictment is only an accusation and Murray is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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