Attorneys general in Washington, DC, and Maryland have filed a lawsuit against three firearms dealers in Maryland for allegedly selling guns to straw purchasers who then resold the weapons to criminals in DC and its surrounding Maryland suburbs.
The lawsuit alleges that three stores in Montgomery County - Engage Armament, United Gun Shop, and Atlantic Guns - sold 34 guns to a Maryland resident named Demetrius Minor, who subsequently transferred the firearms to a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history. Minor was convicted for these purchases, with nine of the guns recovered at crime scenes in the DC area.
According to officials, the remaining guns are likely still in circulation, posing a risk to the community. The civil lawsuit states that there was no legitimate reason for Minor's excessive handgun purchases within a short period, indicating illegal straw purchasing.
In response to a surge in violent crime in DC in 2023, which has since declined but remains above pre-pandemic levels, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb emphasized the need to address the source of illegal firearms entering the district. Schwalb highlighted that 95% of crime guns in DC originate from outside the district, underscoring the importance of targeting suppliers to prevent gun violence.
The lawsuit seeks financial damages from the implicated gun stores and aims to disrupt the practice of selling guns to straw purchasers. A report from Maryland's attorney general's office identified these three gun shops as the top retailers of crime guns between August 2020 and July 2021, further supporting the legal action taken against them.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown expressed the significance of holding accountable those contributing to the influx of illegal firearms, stating that the lawsuit represents a crucial step in addressing the issue of gun violence in the region.
