Two men sentenced to prison in separate U.S. firearm cases

Two separate legal proceedings in the United States resulted in prison sentences for firearm-related offenses.

In Montana, Shawn Ryan Cowan, 46, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. A jury found Cowan guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm after investigators discovered a cache of various pistols, rifles, and a shotgun at his residence. Cowan, a registered violent offender due to previous convictions for aggravated kidnapping and burglary, had argued that his prior conviction was obtained fraudulently.

In Missouri, Steven M. Harris was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a March 2025 shooting in downtown Columbia. Harris had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, and stealing a gun. The incident occurred after Harris was struck by a vehicle, prompting him to pursue the car and fire a stolen weapon. After an unsuccessful attempt to retract his plea, Harris received concurrent sentences of 15 years and 10 years, which will run consecutively to a 10-year sentence for armed criminal action.