Three gun shops in Maryland are facing a lawsuit filed jointly by the attorneys general for Maryland and Washington, D.C. after they sold nearly three dozen firearms to a man who trafficked the weapons in the Washington, D.C. area. At least nine of these guns have been found at crime scenes or with individuals wanted for violent offenses. The lawsuit aims to address the issue of illegal weapons flooding the city, as Washington, D.C. has been struggling with gun violence in recent years.
The supply of weapons in Washington, D.C. is often fueled by individuals who buy guns for others who cannot legally possess them, according to D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. A large percentage of guns recovered in Washington, D.C. originate from nearby Maryland or Virginia, with many coming from illegal straw sales. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and court action to prevent future straw purchases, highlighting the need to address the source of these illegal firearms.
The lawsuit is the first to be filed jointly by the attorneys general of Maryland and Washington, D.C. as part of a broader effort to hold gun shops accountable for their role in firearm trafficking. While licensed firearm dealers work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to identify possible straw purchases, warning signs may not always be obvious. The focus should be on addressing the actions of criminals, rather than placing blame on retailers who may not have been aware of illegal activity.
The three stores that sold weapons to the trafficker, Demetrius Minor, over a seven-month period in 2021 are accused of failing to respond to warning signs, such as bulk purchasing and repetitive purchases. Minor pleaded guilty to dealing in firearms without a license and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The lawsuit alleges that nearly all of the weapons sold were trafficked to individuals who are not legally allowed to purchase firearms. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to prevent future instances of straw purchases.
One of the stores, Atlantic Guns, Inc., stated that they have never knowingly sold to someone engaging in a straw purchase, while another, United Gun Shop, declined to comment. The third store, Engage Armament LLC, has not responded to the lawsuit. The legal action taken against these gun shops is part of a broader trend of cities and states filing civil suits against firearms dealers to address the issue of illegal weapons flooding communities. The lawsuit underscores the importance of holding accountable those who contribute to gun violence through illegal sales and trafficking.
