Additional Coverage:
- Ghost gun company ordered to pay $100M in the death of a Kentucky teen in historic verdict (apnews.com)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Louisville jury has ordered ghost gun manufacturer Husky Armory LLC to pay over $100 million in a wrongful-death case involving a Kentucky teenager who purchased the company’s pistol-building kit online. The verdict, believed to be the largest ever against a gun dealer, was handed down Wednesday after the trial focused on whether Husky Armory violated federal laws prohibiting sales of gun-assembly kits to individuals under 21.
The lawsuit was filed by the family of Henry Willis, who was 18 when he bought a Glock G19 “build kit” from Husky Armory’s website in 2023. Willis assembled the handgun at home-telling his father it was a transistor radio-and tragically took his own life six days later.
Represented by Everytown Law, the family secured a $104.2 million judgment, surpassing previous record settlements against gun sellers, including the $73 million awarded to families affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting involving Remington. This case follows the Supreme Court’s recent endorsement of Biden administration regulations requiring serial numbers on homemade guns, as well as mandatory background checks and age verification for buyers.
Attorneys argued that Husky Armory deliberately ignored these rules. The company’s website promoted the kit as containing “everything you need to build your own Glock style pistol from the comfort of your home,” claiming it could be assembled by “nearly anyone with a brain,” according to court documents. Husky Armory, based in Omaha, Nebraska, and its owner, Cody Yurk, did not respond to inquiries and were absent from the trial.
At a press conference Thursday, Willis’ mother, Laura Herp, described her son as a “kind, gentle child” who had faced mental health struggles prior to his death. “A child in crisis should never be able to access a deadly weapon,” she said. “Companies like Husky Armory profit by selling firearms to people who shouldn’t have access-and they didn’t even show up to the trial.”
Earlier, a Louisville state court entered a default judgment against Husky Armory for failing to respond to the lawsuit. After a two-day trial this week, the jury awarded $4.2 million in economic damages and $100 million in punitive damages to the family.
Dana Mulhauser, an attorney with Everytown Law, called the verdict “historic” and said it sends a strong message to ghost-gun sellers who exploit loopholes to bypass critical safety checks. “Henry should be home with his family today, and Laura deserved more time to help her son heal,” Mulhauser said.
Editor’s Note: This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.
The U.S. national suicide and crisis lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or through online chat at 988lifeline.org. International resources are available at iasp.info/suicidalthoughts.