Montgomery County, MD News (9/3/2024) – In a significant legal action aimed at curbing the flow of illegal firearms into the District of Columbia, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, and Everytown Law announced a lawsuit today against three federally licensed gun dealers based in Montgomery County, Maryland. The lawsuit accuses the dealers of selling firearms to a straw purchaser who then trafficked the weapons, primarily into Washington, DC.
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The defendants in the case—Engage Armament, LLC, United Gun Shop, and Atlantic Guns, Inc.—are alleged to have sold 34 semiautomatic pistols over a seven-month period to Demetrius Minor, a straw purchaser who transferred the firearms to individuals not legally allowed to possess them. According to the lawsuit, the gun dealers disregarded clear signs that Minor was engaged in illegal activity, thereby violating state and federal laws designed to prevent such transactions.
Demetrius Minor was prosecuted on federal gun trafficking charges in December 2022. However, the lawsuit contends that the three gun dealers, who are described as being the “first line of defense against straw purchasing,” have not yet been held accountable for their alleged role in facilitating these illegal transactions.
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“Federally licensed gun dealers know the law and they know what to look for to spot possible illegal trafficking. As this lawsuit demonstrates, gun dealers cannot just choose to ignore these warning signs and guardrails,” said Attorney General Anthony Brown. He emphasized the state’s commitment to holding dealers accountable for illegal conduct that contributes to gun violence in the region.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb echoed these sentiments, highlighting the regional impact of gun violence and the need for coordinated efforts to address the problem. “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,” Schwalb stated. He pointed to the fact that firearms purchased in Maryland and Virginia are often trafficked into DC and used in crimes, stressing the importance of holding accountable those who contribute to this illegal flow of weapons.
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The lawsuit also received support from Eric Tirschwell, Executive Director of Everytown Law, who asserted that the actions of the gun dealers have “fueled local gun violence” by diverting firearms into the illegal secondary market through straw purchases. Tirschwell warned that other gun dealers who prioritize profits over legal compliance and public safety should take heed of the legal action being pursued.
A straw purchase occurs when an individual, known as a straw purchaser, buys a firearm on behalf of another person who is prohibited from purchasing the gun themselves. These transactions are illegal under federal law because they allow individuals who might not pass a background check to obtain firearms. Gun dealers are required by law to recognize and prevent such transactions.
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The lawsuit alleges that Engage Armament, United Gun Shop, and Atlantic Guns failed in this duty by allowing Minor to purchase multiple firearms, including similar models, within a short timeframe. The firearms were then quickly transferred to others, contributing to illegal gun activity in the region.
The straw purchases in question have reportedly contributed to several incidents of gun violence in Maryland and Washington, DC. Nine of the firearms sold to Minor have been recovered at crime scenes, including those involving violent suspects and fugitives. Notable recoveries include a gun found in a DC hotel room in November 2022, another recovered during a police raid in Hyattsville, and one found at a residence in Adelphi.
Many of the remaining firearms are still unaccounted for, raising concerns about their potential involvement in future crimes.
The lawsuit seeks to stop the three gun dealers from engaging in any further illegal straw sales. In addition, the District of Columbia and Maryland are pursuing monetary damages for the harm caused by the alleged illegal activities of the defendants. The outcome of this lawsuit could have broader implications for gun dealers and their responsibilities under the law, particularly in preventing the illegal trafficking of firearms across state lines.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors.
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