Kansas City Man Sentenced to 4 ½ Years for Illegally Possessing Sawed-Off Shotgun

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a sawed off, Winchester 12-gauge shotgun.

Christopher W. Abrams, 52, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Brian C. Wimes, to fifty-four months in prison without parole for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of an unregistered firearm.

On Feb. 10, 2024, officers were called to the area of Independence Avenue and Van Brunt Boulevard regarding a possible armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers encountered Abrams. During a frisk of Abrams, officers located a sawed off, Winchester, Model 37, 12-gauge, single-shot shotgun inside the front waistline of his jeans. The shotgun's stock had been cut down to a wood pistol grip, with black duct tape. The barrel had multiple saw marks and appeared to have been cut short. The shotgun was loaded with a live shotgun shell.

Abrams, who is a convicted felon, had been found guilty of twelve prior felony offenses before today's hearing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.