An Arizona licensed gun dealer, Laurence Gray, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorist organizations after federal agents allegedly caught him selling rifles and guns to two Mexican cartels. The charges, filed on 17 March, include conspiracy and support for terrorism, following his arrest last year alongside accomplice Barrett Weinberger.
Gray, owner of Grips by Larry, is accused of facilitating the sale of three semi-automatic rifles, a machine gun, and two pistols to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel. Among the weapons was a military-grade rifle designed for close-quarters combat and a high-calibre machine gun similar to an M2 Browning.
The Trump administration designated both cartels as foreign terrorist organisations. Mexico has long pressured the US to curb weapons smuggling, with 62% of traced guns seized in Mexico in 2024 originating from Arizona, according to recent data. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes highlighted the severity of the issue, stating there is no doubt about the scale of gun trafficking from the state.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Weinberger's attorney confirmed his client pleaded not guilty, while Gray's legal team did not respond to requests for comment.
