Felon Sentenced for AR-15 on Helena Capitol Grounds

Was he a potential mass shooter?  If yes, he had only 18 rounds to work with.

Nonetheless, Joshua Nzeyimana received a 21-month sentence this week for prohibited person in possession of a firearm.  Nzeyimana has a felony record from June 2023 for assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment.

The convict drove onto the state capitol grounds in Helena in December 2023 with a loaded AR-15 rifle in the car.  The magazine had 17 rounds and one more was chambered, ready to fire.

Apparently the reason he visited the capitol was for a probation meeting.  Authorities conducted a probation vehicle search and found the semi-automatic.  The young man, 23, plead guilty this past April.

The recent press release from the U.S. Attorney's office for Montana gave no indication Nzeyimana meant to harm anyone at the capitol.

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Don't Buy a Firearm for a Young Adult

The key detail I found in this news story is that Nzeyimana obtained the assault rifle through another person buying it for him.  That person of interest (for they should be) may be in a lot of trouble.  The serial number on the AR should trace back to the purchaser.

If a young adult, or any adult, asks you to buy a gun for them, the response should be a red-hot No!  That is a major red flag that they are a felon.  Law-abiding persons do not need a middleman.  They can undergo a background check without a problem and make the purchase from a licensed dealer.