What gun show loophole?

Van Douglas Godette Jr., 23, from Lake Charles was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Richard Haik to 21 months imprisonment to be followed by three years supervised release for making false statements to a firearms dealer while attempting to purchase a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol announced United States Attorney Donald W. Washington.

The offense occurred when Godette attempted to purchase firearms at a gun show in Lake Charles in November 2002. While completing the Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Form 4473 Godette answered "no" to questions which ask whether the purchaser has been convicted of a felony.

Godette was convicted in April 2002 in 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish for possession of ecstasy. Godette stipulated at the time of the guilty plea that he well knew tht he had been convicted of a felony when he tried to purchase the 9mm pistol and also an AK-47 type rifle at the gun show. The ATF was alerted to the transaction because of the required background check through the National Instant Criminal Information System which revealed Godettte's prior felony convictions.

Remember this next time someone tries to tell you about the "gun show loophole".