An arrest warrant has been issued for a Grove City man accused of giving a false statement while trying to buy a gun in Butler County.

State police charged Jeffrey L. Ferguson, 61, with one felony count of giving a false statement to try to buy a firearm as well as a related misdemeanor.

According to charging documents, police were alerted to look into the matter on Sept. 10, one day after Ferguson tried to buy a Hi Point .380 handgun from Rural King.

The documents said Ferguson filled out the paperwork, which was then run through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System.

“The request was denied,” said the investigating officer in the affidavit. “The PICS indicated that Ferguson had not answered block 32 of the (application) correctly.”

The block in question asks applicants if they have ever been convicted of a crime punishable by one year in prison or more.

Police said that, in 2015, Ferguson pleaded guilty to carrying a firearm without a license, which is a misdemeanor of the first degree. The penalties for the crime include a prison sentence between 2½ and five years, and a fine up to $10,000.

“Ferguson should have answered 'yes' to block 32 of the (application,)” said the officer in the affidavit.

Ferguson's case is inactive until an arrest can be made.