Pittsburgh-area man accused of illegally trafficking over 200 guns

Authorities say Benjamin Ford bought hundreds of firearms and illegally sold some with obliterated serial numbers

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:52pm

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An extreme close-up of a handgun trigger and trigger guard, lit by a harsh, direct flash against a black background, creating a stark, gritty investigative aesthetic.A recent wave of recovered firearms with obliterated serial numbers exposes the troubling scope of illegal gun trafficking in the Pittsburgh region.Today in Pittsburgh

A 43-year-old Ross Township, Pennsylvania man named Benjamin Ford has been charged with six counts of illegally selling or transferring firearms after an investigation found that he had purchased over 200 guns from 2013 to 2024, with six of those firearms later recovered by law enforcement in other states with the serial numbers obliterated.

Why it matters

Straw purchasing and illegal gun trafficking are major contributors to gun violence, as they allow firearms to end up in the hands of people who are legally prohibited from owning them. This case highlights the need for stronger regulations and enforcement around legal gun sales to prevent firearms from being diverted into the illegal market.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, Ford bought 205 guns over the past 11 years, with the bulk of the purchases occurring from 2020 onward. Investigators say six of those firearms were later recovered by law enforcement in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, all possessed by people who were not legally allowed to own guns. The serial numbers on these guns had been obliterated.

  • Ford purchased the 205 guns between 2013 and 2024, with the majority bought from 2020 onward.
  • In May 2025, a Pennsylvania agent visited Ford's home to ask about a pistol, at which point Ford said the gun had been stolen but he never reported it.

The players

Benjamin Ford

A 43-year-old man from Ross Township, Pennsylvania who is accused of illegally purchasing over 200 guns and trafficking some of them with obliterated serial numbers.

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General's Allegheny County Gun Violence Task Force

The law enforcement agency that investigated Ford and filed the criminal charges against him.

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What they’re saying

“There's probable cause that Benjamin Ford has purchased these firearms legally with the intent to illegally traffic said firearms and did not properly transfer said firearms as is required by law.”

— Special Agent

What’s next

Ford is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks to face the six charges of illegally selling or transferring firearms.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of straw purchasing and illegal gun trafficking, which can undermine efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from owning them and contribute to gun violence in communities. It underscores the need for stronger regulations and enforcement around legal gun sales to prevent this diversion of firearms into the illegal market.