Brady Files Suit Against Gun Dealer for Selling Handgun Used to Attack the Buyer’s Former Domestic Partner

Washington, D.C., June 4, 2020 - Today, Brady and Jeremy Morris of Glisson & Morris filed suit on behalf of a woman seriously injured with a handgun sold by Peninsula's Premier Pro Shop. The lawsuit alleges that Peninsula irresponsibly and unlawfully sold a firearm to a dangerous person, who should not have legally been permitted to purchase a firearm in the state of Washington. The individual, hereafter referred to as ‘the shooter,’ used the weapon purchased to attack his former domestic partner, Tabatha Leblanc, less than 24 hours later, severely injuring her. Brady and Morris have filed suit on behalf of Ms. Leblanc, seeking damages on her behalf and injunctive relief.

According to the complaint, on June 7, 2017, Peninsula’s Premier Pro Shop transferred a Smith & Wesson handgun to the shooter, without verifying legally-required identification and illegally creating false transaction records. The complaint alleges that the shooter attempted to purchase a firearm without proper identification - the document was a printed sheet of paper without a photo that included a disclaimer that it was “not valid for identification purposes.”

Less than 24 hours later, on June 8, the shooter used the gun to attack Ms. LeBlanc, resulting in severe physical injury and lifelong trauma.

Brady Legal Chief Counsel Jonathan Lowy shared:

“Tabatha LeBlanc was shot and seriously wounded with a gun that never should have been sold to the shooter. This lawsuit seeks some civil justice for Tabatha, and some accountability for the gun dealer. Most gun dealers take their responsibilities seriously, and carefully sell guns to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands. Tragically, the minority of gun dealers who do not sell gun as carefully as they should cause untold damage. This lawsuit will help to correct that, and make us all safer.”

Brady Senior Counsel Erin Davis stated:

“Gun dealers must comply with gun safety laws which are vital to protect the safety of the community. They are the gatekeepers in ensuring that individuals who should not possess guns are not able to acquire them. To violate that responsibility not only breaks the law, but breaks the bond of trust that the community has placed in these private businesses.

In this instance, it resulted in the severe injury of Tabatha LeBlanc. Her former domestic partner was visibly suffering from extreme emotional disturbance and, when he was permitted to acquire the firearm, used it to attack and severely injure her before using it to take his own life.”

Jeremy Morris of Glisson & Morris said:

"Tabatha LeBlanc deserves justice for the lifelong trauma that she will endure as a result of Peninsula’s Premier Pro Shop’s negligence. Ensuring that Peninsula’s reform its practices and fulfill its lawful duties, will prevent future tragedies such as this from occurring.”

Brady and Morris seek damages for Ms. LeBlanc and injunctive relief to correct Peninsula Pro Shop’s negligent behavior.

Brady Legal has represented victims of gun industry negligence and illegality for over 30 years and has won over $60 million in settlements and/or verdicts for victims/survivors. Brady Legal’s work has established important precedents holding that gun companies can be held legally responsible for the damage caused by their irresponsible business practices and has forced gun dealers and manufacturers to reform their practices to prevent sales of guns to dangerous people. Brady has won victories in the Supreme Courts of Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Alaska, and appellate and trial courts in California, Florida, Mississippi, New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio and other states.