Charges: Felon sold assault rifles under wife’s license ATF seizes 99 guns from Pierce County pawnshop, says convict sold agents AR-15

Federal prosecutors in Tacoma claim Daniel "Joe" Bard was selling guns out of an Eatonville pawnshop despite a criminal history including several criminal convictions. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents took this photo during a visit to the pawnshop earlier in 2016. less Federal prosecutors in Tacoma claim Daniel "Joe" Bard was selling guns out of an Eatonville pawnshop despite a criminal history including several criminal convictions. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ... more Photo: Justice Department Photo Photo: Justice Department Photo Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Charges: Felon sold assault rifles under wife’s license 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

A Washington pawnshop owner with a decades-old criminal history now faces federal prosecution as prosecutors claim he was caught on camera selling assault rifles to undercover agents.

Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives seized dozens of weapons from Pierce County resident Daniel “Joe” Bard is alleged to have offered for sale at an Eatonville pawnshop he and his wife operated.

Agents searched the business and Bard’s Eatonville home on May 23. Court records indicate 99 pistols, rifles and shotguns were seized.

Federal prosecutors in Tacoma have charged Bard with unlawful gun possession, citing Bard’s five prior felony convictions. Bard, 42, has several theft-related convictions, the most recent of which he received in 1994.

That criminal history should’ve prevented Bard from dealing guns. But investigators contend he bought and sold weapons under his wife’s federal firearms dealer license.

The ATF launched an investigation in March after a tip from a Pierce County Sheriff’s Office that Bard was working at the Pawn N’ Things pawnshop. According to charging papers, agents found Bard had advertised a rifle for sale on his Facebook page.

A search of ATF records revealed that Bard’s wife held a federal firearms license. Gun dealers are required to obtain such licenses if they plan to buy and sell firearms as a business.

Undercover agents visited the pawnshop on March 26. They claim Bard described himself as the store’s owner and sold them an AR-15-style rifle. According to charging papers, the transfer paperwork presented by Bard has been pre-signed by his wife.

Investigators claim to have seen Bard selling guns to customers during three other visits to the shop. An agent claims to have overheard Bard telling one customer that he will “sell anything.”

In charging papers, an ATF agent said Bard was carrying a .45-caliber pistol on his hip while working. He claimed to have owned the business for more than a year.

Federal and state laws prohibit convicted felons from possessing firearms. In Washington, most felons may petition the court to restore their gun rights five years after their most recent conviction.

Bard was arrested May 19 and was released four days later. He has pleaded not guilty to a single count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Federal prosecutors have until Aug. 19 to secure an indictment against Bard. A public defender representing Bard declined to discuss the allegations.

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Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.