On September 3, 2024 Maryland and D.C. attorney generals filed a lawsuit against three gun shops accused of facilitating illegal gun trafficking through negligent sale practices. This lawsuit targets Engage Armament, LLC, United Gun Shop and Atlantic Guns, Inc., all located in Montgomery County, Maryland. They are accused for allegedly selling dozens of firearms to a known straw purchaser, Demetrius Minor, who then trafficked these weapons into Washington, D.C.
During a press conference, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb discussed the serious implications of their lawsuit, framing their legal action as an important response to rising gun violence in affecting both Maryland and D.C. Schwalb. Schwalb highlighted the urgency, stating, “The level of gun violence in the District, and its devastating impact on victims, families, and our community, is unacceptable.”
The lawsuit points out that a total of 34 semiautomatic pistols were sold to Minor over seven months, raising concerns about the dealers compliance with federal and local laws designed to prevent such transactions.
The main issue is “straw selling,” where a gun shop sells a firearm to someone who isn’t the intended person, often because the actual buyer is prohibited from owning a gun. Allegations suggest that the three shops ignored numerous signs of illegal sales when they sold firearms to Minor, contributing to crime scenes in both D.C. and surrounding Maryland. Particularly, the guns purchased by Minor have been linked to violent crimes.
Court documents reveal that nearly 95% of firearms recovered at crime scenes in D.C. were originally purchased in Maryland or Virginia, highlighting the broader implications of illegal gun sales. Schwalb stated that the rise in illegal trafficking, along with a 55% increase in gun related violent crimes from 2022 to 2023, compels law enforcement action against dealers who prioritize profits over public safety.
The lawsuit aims for monetary damages and seeks to restrict the operations of these gun shops or potentially shut them down. Attorney General Brown emphasized, “Gun dealers cannot choose to ignore these warning signs.” This joint legal effort is a crucial step in going against illegal gun trafficking, setting an example for the gun retail industry.
In conclusion, the lawsuit against Engage Armament, United Gun Shop and Atlantic Guns is an important role retailers play in preventing illegal trafficking and gun violence. It represents a shared effort by Maryland and D.C. to hold accountable the individuals facilitating gun sales that put community safety in danger. As the region tackles increasing violence, this legal action emphasizes the need for strict enforcement of gun laws and accountability among firearms dealers.
https://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-schwalb-sues-three-maryland-gun
Jazza • Oct 11, 2024 at 1:37 pm
I would like to start this comment by stating that I find your writing absolutely impeccable. On the other hand this is a very scary issue that has plagued our country, and to know that this type of practice occurs so often in our state concerns me. Our country was built on the idea to protect ourselves but using our rights for wrong is a deadly power only the sadistic like to use. I hope one day that this country will crack down on the issue of guns, but until then it is best to get the word about issues like these.