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From YouTube: Mayor Lucas Announces Gun Trafficking Lawsuit
Description
KCMO sues gun manufacturers, dealers, and alleged traffickers for contributing to local gun violence. Kansas City, Mo is the first in the U.S. to file a lawsuit against the gun industry in more than 10 Years
During the press conference with Everytown Law, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced that the City (KCMO) has filed a public nuisance lawsuit against Jimenez Arms, Inc., a Nevada gun manufacturer, multiple current or former Kansas City-area licensed firearms dealers, an alleged gun trafficker, and an alleged straw purchaser over the trafficking of handguns into the Kansas City area. The City is represented by attorneys from Everytown Law, the litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Williams Dirks Dameron LLC of Kansas City, Missouri, and the City Attorney’s office.
The first city to file a lawsuit against the gun industry in more than 10 years, the City alleges in the suit that gun trafficking has created a public nuisance by contributing to the violent crime epidemic in Kansas City. The City seeks reimbursement for the costs of dealing with violent crime traceable to the trafficking ring and seeks an order requiring the defendants to recover firearms that are still in circulation.
View the #KCMO #NewsRelease: https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/Components/News/News/206/16
A
Well,
I'm
excited
to
be
here
today
to
announce
I
think
what
is
an
important
and
transformative
step
to
make
sure
our
community
stays
safe,
working
with
the
Everytown
Law
Group,
our
City
Attorney's
Office,
and
so
many
others
to
make
sure
Kansas
Citians
are
safe.
Today,
the
city
of
Kansas
City
is
announcing
that
it
is
bringing
an
action
against
a
number
of
defendants
involved
and
we'll
have
those
described.
In
a
moment.
We
will
be
the
first
city
to
file
a
lawsuit
against
the
gun
industry
in
more
than
10
years.
A
The
suit
relates
to
the
fact
that
gun
trafficking,
the
illegal
gun
trafficking,
has
created
a
public
nuisance,
a
public
nuisance
that
has
led
to
deaths
in
our
community,
a
nuisance
that
has
led
to
crime
throughout
our
community,
and
it
has
made
Kansas
Citians
less
safe
each
day.
We're
proud
of
our
work
with
every
town
law
group,
and
so
many
others,
and
indeed,
as
we've
heard
throughout
my
term,
thus
far,
and
certainly
throughout
the
work
of
our
colleagues
on
the
City
Council,
the
police
department,
the
law
department
and
so
many
others.
A
Another
epidemic
of
gun,
violence
and
gun
crime.
So
with
that
I
want
to
introduce
the
two
people
to
my
left.
First
is
Tara
Lefkowitz
of
the
Everytown
law
group.
Who
will
speak
about
the
technical
details,
then?
Is
Tara
Kelly
our
assistant
city
attorney
she'll,
be
here
to
answer
any
technical
questions
for
you,
we'll
have
miss
Lefkowitz,
explain
the
fashion
of
the
lawsuit
that's
been
filed
today,
our
defendants
and
just
how
transformative
and
I
think
how
important
this
effort
is
and
then
we'll
come
back
to
answer
any
questions
for
you.
So
Miss
Lefkowitz,
good.
B
Morning
and
thank
you
for
being
here
today,
my
name
is
Ala
Lefkowitz
I'm,
the
director
of
affirmative
litigation
at
Everytown
law,
which
is
the
litigation
arm
of
every
town
for
gun
safety.
Every
town
law
is
representing
the
city
in
this
lawsuit,
along
with
attorneys
from
the
city
attorney
office,
as
well
as
the
local
firm
of
Williams
Dirk's
Tamara
and
LLC
I'd
like
to
take
this
opportunity
to
go
through
the
details
of
this
lawsuit.
But
before
I
begin,
I
will
note
that
what
I'm
addressing
today
here
are
allegations.
B
Each
of
these
allegations
are
gonna
have
to
be
proven
at
trial
before
a
jury.
The
trafficking
ring
at
the
center
of
this
lawsuit
started
in
November
2013,
and
it
only
ended
in
October
2018
sorry,
it
started
in
November
2013
and
ended
in
October
2018,
when
federal
authorities
charged
a
mr.
James
Samuels
with
a
host
of
federal
gun
law
violations.
B
Prior
to
his
arrest,
mr.
Samuels
is
alleged
to
have
trafficked
at
least
77
guns
into
the
Kansas
City
area.
However,
a
gun
trafficker
cannot
accomplish
his
work
alone.
He
needs
suppliers
and
he
needs
straw
buyers.
He
needs
companies
that
are
willing
to
look
the
other
way
and
he
needs
individuals
who
are
willing
to
lie
for
him.
Unfortunately,
as
thus
lawsuit
alleges,
mr.
Samuels
was
able
to
find
a
number
of
such
individuals
and
a
number
of
such
companies.
B
Companies
who
were
willing
to
look
the
other
way
in
the
fate
in
the
face
of
clear
indicators
of
illegal
gun
trafficking.
This
case
is
about
holding
everyone
who
participated
in
this
trafficking
ring
accountable
before
I.
Go
into
exactly
how
the
companies
defendants
here
violated
the
aided
and
abetted
this
trafficking
ring
I'm
going
to
run
quickly
through
the
key
laws
that
are
at
issue
here.
First,
it
is
illegal
to
sell
firearms
for
profit
without
a
Federal
Firearms
License.
It
is
also
illegal
to
aid
and
abet
such
unlicensed
sales.
B
Second,
it
is
illegal
to
ship
firearms
over
state
lines,
to
ship
handguns
over
state
lines,
to
individuals
who
do
not
have
a
Federal
Firearms
License
and
third,
it
is
illegal
for
both
purchasers
and
sellers
of
firearms
to
lie
on
Federal
Firearms
transaction
forms.
So,
for
example,
if
someone
is
buying
a
firearm
on
behalf
of
some
else,
then
that
person
is
lying
on
the
federal
transaction
form
when
he
says
that
the
gun
is
for
himself.
That
is
what's
known
as
a
straw
purchase.
B
The
goal
of
all
of
these
laws
is
to
provide
prevent
firearms
trafficking
and
it
the
gold
Superman
firearms
trafficking,
because
it
is
well
known
that
trafficking
leads
to
violent
crimes.
For
this
reason,
gun
companies
are
trained
to
spot
indicators
of
trafficking
such
as
bulk
purchases
and
repeat
purchases.
B
Today's
lawsuit
alleges
that
each
of
the
gun
company
defendants
knowingly
broke
these
laws
and
disregarded
their
professional
obligations.
First,
we
alleged
that
the
gun
gun,
manufacturer
jiménez,
Arms,
shipped
32
guns,
sometimes
six,
seven
or
eight
at
a
time
to
mr.
Samuels,
knowing
that
he
was
not
a
licensed
dealer
and
knowing
that
he
was
going
to
resell
these
guns
in
at
least
two
in
two
cases,
he
even
Jimenez
Arms,
even
shipped
the
firearms
directly
to
mr.
Samuels
home.
B
Without
a
background
check,
some
of
these
guns
have
been
recovered
by
law
enforcement,
but
some
of
them,
we
believe,
are
still
out
there.
Second,
as
you
could
see
next
to
me,
we
have
named
three
local
gun
dealers
that
each
sold
or
transferred
over
a
dozen
guns
in
a
short
time
period
to
mr.
Samuels
and
his
associates.
Most
of
these
guns
were
also
Jimenez.
Arms
handguns
and
a
significant
number
of
them
were
also
bought
in
bulk
purchases.
More
details
about
the
specific
of
each
transit
specifics
of
each
transactions
are
in.
B
The
35
page
complain
that
we
have
today,
by
permitting
these
sales
to
take
place.
The
gun,
company
defendants
endangered,
the
entire
city
of
Kansas
City,
the
consequences
of
the
city
of
these
sales
also
required
the
cities
who
devote
valuable
resources
to
emergency
responders,
to
police,
to
prosecutions
to
victim
services,
etc.
For
these
reasons,
the
city
is
seeking
a
court
order
to
reform
the
defendants,
business
practices,
as
well
as
corrective
action
to
help
track
down
some
of
the
guns
that
still
may
be
out
there
that
were
sold
through
the
trafficking
ring.
B
A
There
is
a
significant
problem
with
the
illegal
gun
trafficking
in
our
city
and,
while
a
lot
of
our
criminal
justice
partners
certainly
try
to
make
sure
that
they
root
this
out
that
they
address
it.
There
are
a
lot
of
private
actors
that
each
day
create
new
threats
for
the
citizens
of
Kansas,
City,
frankly
for
the
citizens
of
our
entire
region.
A
That
has
continued
to
try
to
make
sure
that
through
every
remedy
available-
and
this
is
a
novel
one
through
every
remedy
available-
we're
making
sure
our
constituents
are
safer
and
so
I'm
proud
of
the
work
that
they've
done,
and
this
shows
again
how
Kansas
City
Missouri
government
at
every
level,
elected
officials,
staff
and
so
many
others
are
committed
to
making
sure
we're
safer
long
term.
So
with
that
we'd
welcome
any
questions
you
may
have
about
the
case.
C
A
And
I
think
the
description
there
was
this
one
is
because
I
guess
the
headline
in
some
way
is
important,
that
you
see
that
a
city
is
filing
a
suit
for
the
first
time
in
ten
years
against
the
gun
industry,
and
so,
instead
of
looking
at
an
individual
actor
in
this
situation,
perhaps
the
former
criminal
defendant,
mr.
Samuels,
what
we're
doing
and
here
is
saying
that
we're
actually
looking
at
the
folks
that
were
a
key
part
of
the
in
a
way
organization.
A
The
straw
buyers,
the
folks
that,
through
their
own
actions,
were
not
looking
to
follow
responsibly,
our
federal
gun
laws
and
instead
saying
that
we're
looking
at
in
a
way
a
broad
approach
to
how
we
address
what
is
a
significant
problem.
While
we
commend
I,
think
the
action
of
our
federal
law
partners
to
address
an
individual,
what
we're
saying
is
that
there
was
a
whole
network
of
folks
that
have
been
involved
in
creating
this
harm
to
the
people
of
Kansas
City,
and
that's
why
I
think
this
is
both
a
creative
approach.
A
I
think
it's
certainly
one
that
is
on
very
strong
legal
footing.
But
it's
one
that
I'm
proud
of
the
work
that
our
lawyers
have
done
to
make
sure
that
we're
looking
at
not
just
an
individual
and
pinpointed
action,
but
instead
saying
how
has
the
industry
contributed
long-term
to
the
issues
that
are
affecting
Public
Safety
in
our
city?
I'm,
proud
of
it
I,
certainly
hope
other
cities
follow
it
long-term.
A
You
know
Michael
I,
think
what
you
have
seen
from
us
through
over
the
last
several
months.
Is
that
we're
looking
at
whatever
approach
we
can
to
try
to
make
our
residents
safer
and
in
many
situations
to
get
so-called
illegal
guns
off
the
streets,
and
this
is
another
important
step.
We
recognize
that
legislation
is,
but
one
approach
you've
seen
that
at
the
local
level
we
continue
to
push
state-level
legislation,
but
we
certainly
recognize
that
there
are
civil
actions.
A
D
A
That
again
and
I
got
sop
after
I
thought
about
it
standard
operating
procedure,
I
think
what
I
would
say
is
this
that
we
will
always-
and
this
isn't
actually
this
was
the
one
thing
that
is
not
new.
Every
day
we
are
looking
at
creative
ways
to
make
our
communities
safer
every
day,
Kansas
City
government's
doing
that,
frankly,
every
town
is
doing
that
every
day.
So
what
I
think
this
is
is
actually
a
continuation
of
some
of
the
important
work
that
we
have
already
done
to
see.
A
A
I
think
what
we
will
continue,
what
I'll
say
is
this
and
I
don't
want
to
prejudge
any
type
of
action.
I
am
a
lawyer,
but
I'm,
not
a
lawyer,
retained
to
act
in
this
situation.
We
will
look
to
be
as
creative
as
possible,
both
through
legislation
through
the
courts
through
any
manner
possible
to
make
sure
our
community
is
as
safe
as
possible,
and
so
nothing
is
off
the
table.
A
E
That
the
origins
of
this
case
stem
from
the
work
that
our
federal
crime-fighting
partners
did
in
this.
The
ATF
the
FBI
had
a
pretty
unique
and
in-depth
discovery
and
investigation
of
this
alleged
trafficking
ring
and
therefore,
when
the
probable
cause
statements
came
out
that
were
used
to
indict
the
individuals
in
this
ring.
It
was
very
easy
to
see
how
that
contributed
to
the
public
nuisance
that
we're
trying
to
eradicate.
B
B
The
lot
of
the
facts
are
obviously
the
same
and
there's
going
to
be
some
factual
overlap
here,
but
each
of
the
plaintiffs
in
both
lawsuits
have
their
own
causes
of
action
and
have
their
own
damages.
So
don't
you
know
they
are
separate
cases
and
they'll
be
pursued
a
separately
to
the
extent
necessary.
C
A
Those
that
have
created
public
nuisances
throughout
through
their
own
negligence
should
be
held
to
account
in
some
way
and
should
have
to
rectify
and
reform
their
practices.
Much
like,
we
previously
said
those
who've
committed
any
number
of
other
violations.
Domestic
abuse,
for
example,
should
not
be
able
to
possess
firearms,
and
so
no
I'm
not
here
to
speak
to
the
situation
in
Texas
I'm,
not
here
to
speak
to
any
other
situation.
This
is
not
about
the
number
of
firearms.
A
We
remain
committed
to
the
approaches
that
we've
taken,
which
we
think
are
responsible
and
we
think
absolutely
respect
the
Second
Amendment
I've
studied
law,
I've
I've,
shot
firearms
myself,
I
understand
the
Second
Amendment
I
also
understand
that
there
are
certain
things
that
you
do
to
forfeit
your
right
to
possess
firearms
and
I.
Think
that
someone
in
Missouri
who,
let's
say,
commits
acts
of
domestic
violence
against
their
intimate
partner
should
not
be
able
to
possess
firearms
I'm
consistent
on
that
and
I.
A
Think,
frankly,
any
person
who
is
reasonable
and
actually
just
looks
to
federal
law,
understands
that's
that's
the
case
itself
and
frankly,
we've
had
federal
legislation
of
that
effect,
and
so
I
think
that,
yes,
you
can
respect
the
Second
Amendment,
while
also
respecting
the
fact
that
our
law
should
be
followed
and
those
that
who
commit
crimes
and
forfeit
their
rights
to
possess
firearms
should
not
be
able
to
have
them.
And
frankly,
if
you
go
to
the
courthouse
right
down
the
street,
there
are
tons
of
charges
brought
each
day
against
felons
in
possession
of
handguns.
A
D
A
Know
I've
had
conversations
with
the
Speaker
of
the
House
previously
I
look
forward
to
visiting
with
more
folks
in
the
Senate
there's
a
senator
here
in
Kansas
City
Tony
Luetkemeyer
I've
had
a
chance
to
talk
to
about
a
number
of
different
efforts.
I
recognize
that
it
may
not
be
easy
to
explain
how
common
sensical
our
legislation
and
our
legislative
proposals
are,
but
we'll
continue
to
do
it
because
I
think,
once
you
actually
sit
down
and
think
about
it.
A
These
are
very
reasonable
reforms
that
really
just
look
to
get
guns
out
of
the
hands
of
people
who
have
already
forfeited
their
rights
by
committing
acts
in
many
situations,
a
violent
crime
and
I.
Don't
think
that
there's
anyone
I'd
talk
to
in
Missouri,
who
thinks
that
somebody
who
has
shown
violence,
particularly
against
their
loved
ones,
should
be
walking
around
with
a
firearm.
Today,.
A
Everything
so
in
terms
of
witness
protection,
we
need
to
make
sure
there's
actually
adequate
funding,
not
just
for
witness
protection,
which
is
the
classic
term,
but
witness
relocation
services
in
so
many
situations.
What
we
cannot
do
necessarily
is
guarantee
protection
ie,
there
won't
be
a
law
enforcement
officer
outside
of
your
home
and
relocation
sometimes
is
helpful
in
Kansas
City
each
day,
certainly
in
Jackson
County
over
in
the
city
of
st.
Louis
and
in
st.
Louis
County.
A
We
have
lots
of
crimes
where
we
need
witnesses
and
we're
all
recognizing
that
getting
people
comfortable
about
talking
is
a
key
part
of
our
crime-fighting
strategies
and
so
I
think,
and
it
certainly
we've
heard
this
from
the
governor
and
it's
been
fairly
consistent
from
the
governor
and
the
state
legislature,
which
we
all
recognize.
We
need
to
enhance
our
funding
and
resources
there
and,
frankly,
we
need
to
create
better
programs.
A
One
of
those
conversations
is
saying
who
gets
the
chance
to
have
access
to
it
currently
in
Missouri,
it's
prosecutors
alone
that
usually
make
that
designation
about
witness
relocation
and
certain
situations.
It
might
be
more
responsible
for
a
police
detective
to
be
able
to
get
access
to
saying
someone
needs
to
protect,
be
protective
from
day
one,
because,
often
when
there
is
some
sort
of
criminal
incident,
we
see
that
the
officers
may
know
who's
part
of
it.
They
may
know
who
needs
protection
and
we
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
expanding
that
opportunity
for
more.
A
So
it's
both
a
monetary
ask,
but
it's
also
one
that's
looking
at
how
can
actually
reform
the
entire
structure
by
the
way,
while
you're
letting
me
talk
about
Missouri
law
I,
continue
to
believe
that
we
need
to
enhance
our
Missouri
public
defender
system.
That
is
something
that
the
city
of
Kansas
City
Missouri
continues
to
support.
We
need
to
have
more
funding
for
jail
and
incarceration
not
to
build
more
jails
but
to
make
sure
they're
actually
a
humane
and
our
treatment
of
inmates
in
the
state
of
Missouri.
A
Those
are
other
things
were
working
on
a
long
term.
Certainly,
mental
health
trauma
treatment
services,
particularly
for
victims
of
shootings,
and
there
were
480
of
them
in
Kansas,
City
Missouri
last
year,
is
a
key
focus.
All
of
those
I
think
are
common-sense
proposals
that
are
making
our
community
safer.
That,
in
my
view,
actually
work
in
connection
with
what
we're
talking
about.
Today,
we
are
going
to
take
every
option
to
many
people.
A
Try
to
say
when
we
talk
about
public
safety,
that
it's
kind
of
an
either/or,
it's
guns
off
the
streets
or
it
is
trauma
or
mental
health
funding.
What
we're
saying
is
that
you
can
do
it
all.
You
can
walk
and
chew,
gum
we're
a
city.
That's
gonna,
be
committed
to
mental
health
treatment
to
addressing
long-term
trauma
to
the
public
health
causes
for
violent
crime,
while
also
making
sure
we're
getting
illegal
guns
off
the
street
that
we're
addressing
long-term
bad
actors.