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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala man caught with unlicensed concealed weapon thought it was legal

Daniel Alberto Zarazua

An Ocala man charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a license claims the sales clerk who sold him the gun in Arizona told him it was legal.

Daniel Alberto Zarazua, 28, of 3018 NE 25th Court, was also charged with possession of marijuana. He was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. Monday at the Circle K store at 5182 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

A Marion County sheriff’s deputy was searching for a suspect in a battery case at the store when he contacted Zarazua, who was driving the suspect. The officer asked Zaraua if he had any weapons in his possession and Zarazua said he had a 9mm handgun. The deputy asked Zarazua for his concealed weapons license and Zarazua said the paperwork was at his house and he had a concealed weapons permit in Arizona, according to the sheriff’s office report.

The deputy patted down Zarazua and found an FMK Model 9C1 Gen 2 A 9mm handgun with two magazines of ammunition on Zarazua’s right hip, under his jacket. A computer search showed Zarazua did not have a valid permit in Arizona or Florida, the report said.

Zarazua told the deputy that when he purchased the firearm in Phoenix, the sales clerk told him that he was licensed to carry the weapon concealed. The deputy asked Zarazua if he had attended a concealed firearms course and he said he had not, according to the report.

While searching Zarazua, the deputy also discovered a small clear plastic bag containing a green leaf-like substance. The substance tested positive for THC, commonly found in marijuana, the report said.

Zarazua was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released Monday afternoon on $6,000 bond. No court information was available.