Gaffney Man Illegally Sold Firearms at Columbia Gun Show

An Upstate man who entered a guilty plea in federal court on Monday for selling firearms without a license sold items at a gun show in Columbia. 

David Hopper, 59, of Gaffney, plead guilty in a federal court in Florence, to unlawfully engaging in the business of dealing in firearms, United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced Monday.

Authorities say from July 2003 to June 2012, Hopper purchased and sold firearms without a federal firearms license. 

Hopper sold the firearms at various gun shows, including those held at the Florence Gun and Knife Show, the Jamil Temple Gun Show, and Chesnee Flea Market.       

United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Florence accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed a presentencing report, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbia. 

The maximum penalty Hopper can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for five years, plus a special assessment of $100.        

Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office handled the case.