Firearms Shops Sued for Allegedly Selling To a Straw Purchaser

Maryland and Washington, D.C., have sued three Maryland firearms dealers for allegedly facilitating illegal gun trafficking.

At a Glance

Maryland and D.C.’s Attorneys General filed a lawsuit against three Maryland gun shops for selling firearms to a trafficker.
The lawsuit involves Engage Armament, LLC, United Gun Shop, and Atlantic Guns, Inc.
These stores allegedly ignored signs of illegal gun sales, specifically straw purchasing.
The lawsuit seeks monetary and punitive damages, including potential restrictions or shutdowns of the stores.
At least nine of the trafficked weapons were found at crime scenes in Maryland and D.C.

Allegations Against the Gun Shops

Maryland and D.C.’s Attorneys General have filed a lawsuit against three Maryland firearm dealers, accusing them of contributing to gun trafficking. The lawsuit targets Engage Armament, LLC, United Gun Shop, and Atlantic Guns, Inc. These stores allegedly sold 34 semiautomatic pistols to Demetrius Minor, who then sold them to others, including individuals prohibited from owning firearms. Authorities claim the dealers ignored red flags associated with straw purchasing—a practice where a person buys a firearm for someone else.

Responsible gun ownership and dealing are crucial for public safety, and the lawsuit underscores the legal and ethical responsibilities of gun dealers. Selling firearms to individuals who are barred from possessing them can have serious ramifications, contributing to gun violence in the community. “Federally licensed gun dealers know the law and they know what to look for to spot possible illegal trafficking,” stated Attorney General Schwalb. “Gun dealers cannot just choose to ignore these warning signs and guardrails.”

Gun shops that sold weapons trafficked into Washington, DC, sued by nation's capital and Maryland https://t.co/86aT9nAmsK

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 3, 2024

The Mechanics of Straw Purchasing

Straw purchases are illegal. The process typically involves the actual buyer using a third party to acquire weapons to circumvent background checks and other legal safeguards. These firearms often end up in the hands of individuals with criminal intent or those legally barred from owning them. The lawsuit accuses the gun shops of negligence and public nuisance, seeking to hold them accountable for not identifying these problematic transactions.

“The goal is to disrupt and discontinue this for these defendants, and to send a signal to all gun store owners in the DMV that if this is what you do, this is what we do,” according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown.

Demetrius Minor, the primary individual involved, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for unlicensed firearm dealing. Despite his conviction, the ripple effect of his actions has been severe. At least nine of the weapons he distributed were found at crime scenes in Maryland and D.C. The lawsuit aims to compel gun shops to implement more stringent checks to spot and halt such dubious transactions in the future.

The Importance of Vigilance in Gun Sales

The law mandates that federally licensed firearm dealers serve as a critical line of defense against illegal gun trafficking. Failure to do so not only breaks the law but also significantly endangers public safety. “The level of gun violence in the District, and the devastating impact it has on victims, families, and our community as a whole, is unacceptable,” emphasized Schwalb. Therefore, vigilance and due diligence in gun sales are paramount to preventing such crimes.

“It doesn’t take a lot of common sense to figure out that someone trying to repeatedly buy the same semi-automatic handgun over a short period of time is a straw purchaser,” said Schwalb.

The lawsuit also highlights statistics showing that only 5.2% of recovered guns from crime scenes were in the possession of the original purchaser from a licensed dealer. This alarming figure underscores the need for enhanced scrutiny and accountability in firearms transactions. A notable 95% of firearms recovered in D.C. were originally purchased outside of the District, suggesting the problem extends well beyond city lines.