Brady, the nation’s leading gun violence prevention organization, and co-counsel Chicago personal injury law firm Smith LaCien LLP recently filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County against a gun dealer, Range USA, for failing to appropriately train, supervise, and monitor their employees to detect, stop, and report straw purchasing activity. The Complaint in Carlson v. Shorewood Operations, including video evidence, is available here.
Because of Range’s refusal to follow the law, the 18-year-old shooter was able to use his 21-year-old girlfriend to straw purchase a .380 caliber Smith & Wesson M&P handgun in June 2023 and transfer it to him shortly after. Range’s misconduct allowed the shooter access to the firearm even though he was legally prohibited from possessing it. He then used the gun to attack plaintiff Laura Carlson on July 8, 2023, as she was driving her teenage daughter back from a graduation celebration.
The bullet struck Carlson in the neck and exited from the back of her head, nearly ending her life. As a result of the injuries she sustained, she was flown by helicopter for treatment at Loyola Hospital located in Maywood, a Chicago suburb. Although she survived, she continues to carry permanent physical and psychological scars, according to the Complaint.
“Whether one is a gun dealer or gun owner or even target practice enthusiast—we all should care deeply about reckless and unlawful conduct that so easily puts dangerous weapons into the hands of those who should not lawfully have them,” said Todd A. Smith, managing partner of Smith LaCien. “This case is a tragic example of what happens when our laws and rules are repeatedly not followed.”
Prior to 2023, the Range USA stores had received multiple warnings from law enforcement, including through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) Demand 2 program, that firearms they sold were being used in crime. The firearm used to shoot Carlson was one of dozens of weapons sold by Range USA that were traced to crimes.
The lawsuit also seeks civil redress against various other parties whose negligent or unlawful misconduct contributed to the shooting.
“Laura Carlson’s life was put in serious jeopardy as a result of Range USA’s negligence and unlawful conduct,” said Brady president Kris Brown. “Gun dealers must keep our communities safe by putting people over profits and should be held accountable when they fail to do so. Laws exist to keep guns out of the hands of those who wish to do harm to our communities, and everyone in America should rightfully expect gun dealers to be responsible agents when selling deadly weapons.”
The plaintiff, Laura Carlson, said: “There are clear laws that, if followed by Range USA and its employees, would have prevented the trauma we endured and other families will endure. I look forward to my day in court to prove the negligence and unlawful conduct of Range USA and put gun dealers everywhere on notice to prioritize their neighbors’ lives over their profits,” said plaintiff Laura Carlson.
Brady has represented victims of the gun industry for over 30 years and has won over $70 million in settlements and verdicts brought by Brady for victims and survivors. Brady has also won landmark precedents, holding that gun companies can be held legally responsible for damages caused by their irresponsible business practices and has forced gun dealers and manufacturers to reform their business practices.
The firm is comprised of experienced trial lawyers who have a demonstrated track record of achieving exceptional results for clients, with more than $3 billion in verdicts and settlements, and over 150 cases with results exceeding $1 million. The firm concentrates in personal injury law, medical malpractice, wrongful death, trucking accidents, traumatic birth injuries, and mass torts.
Press Contacts:
Chris Ruys (for Smith LaCien LLP) chris@chrisruys.com (312) 259-3495
OR Graeme Crews, gcrews@bradyunited.org (843-303-5394)
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