Tarentum woman charged with lying on application to buy gun

Tony LaRussa | Tuesday, December 28, 2021 11:00 a.m.

Metro Creative

A Tarentum woman was charged with a felony after police say she intentionally provided false information about her past when filling out an application to buy a gun at a sporting goods store.

Robin A. Ratz, 66, of Heuser Way was charged by Harrison Township police with a felony count of illegal sale or transfer of a firearm and a lesser charge of providing false information on the gun purchase application she filled out at Dunham’s Sports in the Highlands Mall, according to a criminal complaint.

Harrison police said they were notified by the state on Dec. 7 that Ratz went to Dunham’s Sports on Sept. 17, 2020 and filled out the required paperwork to buy a gun, the complaint said.

Investigators said her application was denied because she answered “No” to the question about whether she had previously been committed to a mental facility.

A background check determined that Ratz was involuntary committed to a mental facility in November 2000, according to authorities.

Ratz faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Carolyn S. Bengel on Jan. 26.