Philip Shearer Sentenced For Homemade Rifle: DOJ
Authorities said Friday, Aug. 1, that a man from Pennsylvania with a lengthy criminal history—including convictions for several DUIs and indecent assault—will serve over ten years in federal prison for unlawfully producing a handgun.
Shearer, Philip A.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said that Philip Shearer, 49, of Harrisburg, who was previously from Boiling Springs, Enola, Mechanicsburg, and Chambersburg based on public records, admitted to having an unregistered short-barrel rifle, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, multiple high-capacity magazines, night vision goggles, and a ghillie suit.
A History Of Convictions
Shearer has almost twenty years of experience. 14 prior felony offenses are included in court documents, including five for drunk driving, a conviction for domestic abuse, and a guilty plea to indecent assault in 2013.
Following two unsuccessful attempts to lawfully acquire a firearm, he was charged in Cumberland County in 2023 with making false statements on a firearms purchase form. Prosecutors claimed that Shearer instead started producing his own firearms.
Federal Sentence Handed Down
Karoline Mehalchick, a U.S. District Judge, sentenced Shearer to 115 months in prison and three years of supervised release on July 14, 2025. To one count of possessing an unregistered firearm, he had entered a guilty plea.
“With 14 criminal convictions, the law duly prohibits him from owning the unregistered short-barrel rifle he manufactured for himself after he was prevented from purchasing a firearm,” said ATF Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree.
Case Background
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Dukes prosecuted the case, while Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives lead the investigation.
The investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a national campaign to dismantle violent criminal networks and prevent illegal persons from obtaining firearms.
Currently, Shearer is being held at Cumberland County Prison.
