Another FFL is facing serious charges, and as always, the truth matters more than the headline.
Laurence Gray, owner of Grips by Larry in Arizona, has been hit with terrorism-related charges for allegedly arming Mexican drug cartels. The feds claim he knowingly sold firearms to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa cartel. Originally indicted on gun trafficking and straw purchasing charges, the government upgraded the case with terrorism counts after Trump's administration declared Mexican cartels foreign terrorist organizations.
Here's what we know: The ATF used a confidential informant to purchase rifles including a .50 caliber sniper, belt-fed M249s, and pistols. The informant allegedly told Gray the guns were going to Mexico. Court documents claim Gray even filled out paperwork for an undercover agent while the actual buyer watched.
Look, if an FFL is deliberately helping arm cartels, lock him up. But this case also shows something important: the ATF has plenty of resources for enforcement. Gun control advocates claiming budget cuts are hampering investigations? Not seeing that here.
The real concern? These prosecutions get used to justify more regulations on all of us. Every bad actor gives the antis ammunition to burden legitimate dealers and gun owners. Stay vigilant, follow the law, and if something smells fishy about a customer, report it to ATF—don't try to handle it yourself.