Santa Clara man indicted for lying on gun purchases and planning mass shooting

A 27-year-old man from Santa Clara appeared in federal court Friday after being indicted for making false statements when purchasing nearly a dozen firearms between 2023 and 2026, according to mercurynews.com.

Federal prosecutors said he lied about never being committed to a mental institution, which is prohibited under the 1968 Gun Control Act for firearm buyers. Authorities allege he was involuntarily held in a psychiatric facility in New York in 2017 after detailed plans for a school mass shooting and abduction were found in his journal.

During a raid of his Santa Clara home, federal agents seized 10 firearms including AR-style rifles, semiautomatic pistols, shotguns, a large amount of ammunition, tactical gear, and high-capacity magazines.

The man faces up to 10 years in prison per violation of federal law. The U.S. Attorney emphasized the threat posed by someone who planned violence and acquired multiple firearms, highlighting the need for swift federal action.