DC, MD Attorneys General sue gun dealers for illegal straw purchases fueling regional gun violence

WASHINGTON — A new lawsuit reveals a disturbing link between local gun dealers and gun violence across the D.C. area, as officials accuse them of enabling illegal firearm trafficking.

In a move to curb this gun violence, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, and Everytown Law have filed a lawsuit against three Maryland gun dealers. The lawsuit accuses Engage Armament, United Gun Shop and Atlantic Guns of illegally selling firearms to a straw purchaser, Demetrius Minor, who then trafficked these weapons into D.C., fueling violence across the region.

Between April and October 2021, these dealers sold Minor 34 semiautomatic pistols despite clear signs that he was making straw purchases — buying guns on behalf of others who were legally barred from owning them. While Minor was prosecuted in 2022, the gun dealers have not been held accountable until now.

“Profits Over Safety”

Attorney General Schwalb expressed the frustration felt by many in the community.

"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," he said. “This is a regional problem that requires a regional solution, as 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, blatant disregard for the law, and pain they have inflicted across the District and DMV."

Maryland Attorney General Brown echoed this sentiment, warning other dealers, “We are watching, and we will hold you accountable for illegal conduct that fuels gun violence across our region.”

Eric Tirschwell of Everytown Law added, “This lawsuit puts any other bad-faith dealers who prioritize profits over the law and public safety on notice: 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 cities and local communities.”

The Human Cost of Straw Purchases

Straw purchases allow people to bypass background checks and acquire firearms illegally. The guns sold to Minor were quickly trafficked into D.C. and surrounding areas, where they were used in violent crimes. At least nine of the firearms have been recovered at crime scenes, including in the possession of fugitives and suspects with violent histories.

Officials say the impact on the community has been devastating. From 2022 to 2023, D.C. saw a 55% increase in gun-related violent crimes, with the Metropolitan Police Department recovering 130% more firearms in 2023 than a decade ago. The guns sold by these dealers have left a trail of violence and loss.

Seeking Justice and Change

The lawsuit aims to force these dealers to cease illegal sales and compensate for the harm caused. It’s part of a broader effort by the DC Attorney General’s Office to fight gun violence and protect communities. The office has also defended the District’s gun laws and supported community programs like Cure the Streets, which focuses on reducing violence in high-risk neighborhoods.

This legal action sends a strong message: those who contribute to the illegal flow of firearms will be held accountable. As the case moves forward, D.C. and Maryland leaders say they remain committed to safeguarding their communities from gun violence.