A Clarion man allegedly lied on a form when he bought a gun from Rural King last year.

David Mahle, 63, of Clarion, was charged by state police with one felony count of providing a false statement while buying a firearm and a misdemeanor count of a similar nature.

According to charging documents, state police began their investigation Feb. 18, during which they discovered Mahle was involuntarily committed in 1998 to Clarion Hospital.

Police said in May 2020, Mahle applied for and bought a .45 Taurus PT1911 at the Clearview Mall business. Police said to do so, he would have had to fill out questions on two forms related to mental health.

“Mahle answered no to both of these questions,” said the investigating officer in the affidavit.

Mahle was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Lewis Stoughton, who ordered he be released on his own recognizance.

Mahle's preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 13.