Convicted felon arrested for lying on federal form while trying to buy a gun

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A local gun store says it helped prevent a known felon from purchasing a gun at its store.

All thanks to a new state law.

Waahid Jaye, 33, was arrested on several charges in 2021, including attempted murder, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm. Because of these charges, he cannot be around guns.

Surveillance video from inside the LEPD gun store shows Jaye and his wife entering, both trying to buy guns.

“She gets a product – and it's important to note that they have the same address and they're filling out a federal form. He is delayed – which is not uncommon. A few days later, on a Tuesday, we get a notification in the database that he refused,” said LEPD owner Eric Delbert.

Delbert looked at court records to see why Jaye was turned down.

Jaye has a criminal record with several charges dating back to 2021 that prevent him from legally possessing a firearm. He is not believed to be near any guns, but surveillance video shows him picking up several firearms inside the store.

“We know that there is so much gun violence in Columbus right now that if we can do something to bring about that change, we are certainly going to take the necessary steps to do that,” Delbert said.

Jaye also completed the federal background check and checked the box saying he is not a criminal.

A law passed in Ohio in 2021 allows local law enforcement to charge felons for lying on a federal form to purchase a gun.

“This gentleman has had four indictments for not only having a weapon under disability or being in possession of a weapon, but we believe this is one of the first times in Franklin County to be charged, and it’s a state charge for lying or deceiving a federal firearms licensee, like us, in the process of trying to obtain a firearm,” Delbert said.

Delbert relayed the information to Perry Township police.

Detective Charles Mills said it's great to know the indictment from earlier this month keeps a gun out of the hands of a criminal.

“Absolutely. All law enforcement officers are much happier keeping a gun off the street than trying to get a gun off someone on the street,” he said. Mills said.

“We are proud of some of the cases we have been involved in. Here, it's not just about selling weapons. We want to do our part for our community to ensure we keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them,” Delbert said.

Jaye is being held in the Franklin County Jail and has been charged with weapons while under disability and illegal weapons transaction.

A federal investigation is underway and additional charges may be filed.

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