D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Everytown Law have announced a lawsuit against three federally licensed gun dealers — Engage Armament, LLC, United Gun Shop, and Atlantic Guns, Inc. — accusing them of facilitating illegal straw purchases that have contributed to gun violence in the D.C. area.
The lawsuit alleges that the dealers, located in Montgomery County, Maryland, ignored clear warning signs that Demetrius Minor was using illegal straw purchases to acquire firearms, which were then trafficked into the District.
According to the lawsuits’ allegations, over the course of seven months, the dealers sold Minor 34 semiautomatic pistols, violating D.C., Maryland, and federal laws. While Minor was prosecuted on federal charges in December 2022, the dealers have not yet faced accountability for their role in exacerbating gun violence.
“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 said. “This is a regional problem that requires a regional solution. Far too often, guns purchased in Maryland and Virginia are trafficked across our borders and end up at crime scenes in D.C. Today, we are holding these firearms dealers — businesses that chose profits over safety — accountable for their clear negligence and blatant disregard for the law. My office will continue to do everything in our power to combat the deadly flood of illegal weapons into the District.”
Brown emphasized, “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. Let this be a warning to other dealers who put public safety at risk to make a profit: We are watching, and we will hold you accountable for illegal conduct that fuels gun violence across our region.”
Eric Tirschwell, executive director of Everytown Law, added: “Engage, United, and Atlantic have fueled local gun violence and endangered countless lives by diverting guns into the illegal secondary market through obvious straw purchases. This lawsuit serves as a notice to other bad-faith dealers who prioritize profits over the law and public safety: Traffickers and straw purchasers will be held accountable, but so too will the gun stores that ignore suspicious purchasing behaviors and facilitate the flow of illegal weapons into our communities.”
A straw sale occurs when a federally licensed dealer sells a firearm to a straw purchaser who transfers the gun to someone prohibited from owning it. These illegal transactions evade background checks and identification requirements, allowing the actual buyer to obtain firearms unlawfully.
Authorities said dealers like Engage, United, and Atlantic are legally obligated to prevent illegal sales and recognize signs of straw purchasing, such as bulk purchases in a short period. Despite these responsibilities, officials said they allowed Minor to repeatedly buy firearms, many of which were easily concealable, facilitating their transfer to prohibited individuals.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, illegal sales have significantly impacted the region. Approximately 95% of firearms recovered in D.C. were purchased elsewhere, often in Maryland or Virginia, with many acquired through illegal straw sales. From 2022 to 2023, the District experienced a 55% increase in violent crimes involving firearms and a 130% rise in recovered firearms compared to a decade ago. At least nine guns sold to Minor have been recovered at crime scenes or from fugitives, with several still unaccounted for.
The lawsuit seeks to compel Engage, United, and Atlantic to cease illegal straw sales and obtain monetary damages for the harm inflicted on D.C. residents.
“We are committed to fighting the spread of illegal weapons and ensuring that those who facilitate illegal gun trafficking face the consequences of their actions,” Schwalb said.
I would assume in MD that the MD state police handle the background checks that would determine if the purchaser was legally allowed to buy a firearm and not the dealer?