A quiet Arizona town holds a dark secret. Laurence Gray, a 65-year-old firearms dealer, now faces accusations of fueling the brutal power of Mexico’s most dangerous cartels.
Federal prosecutors allege Gray knowingly supplied weapons to both the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel – organizations officially designated as foreign terrorist groups by the State Department. The charges stem from transactions that occurred in 2025, painting a picture of deliberate involvement in illicit arms dealing.
The initial indictment last year implicated Gray, owner of Grips by Larry, alongside Barrett Weinberger, 73, of Tucson. Investigators uncovered a pattern of illegal firearms transactions, hinting at a larger, more sinister operation.
Specific allegations center around a Colt 1911 semi-automatic pistol, allegedly facilitated for purchase by Gray on February 22, 2025. This single transaction appears to be just the tip of the iceberg, with further deals unfolding in the months that followed.
The charges have now escalated, adding accusations of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to do the same. This signifies a shift in the government’s assessment of Gray’s role – from arms trafficking to actively aiding groups engaged in terrorism.
The Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) highlight a troubling trend: Mexican cartels routinely exploit straw purchasers within the United States. These individuals legally acquire firearms, then illegally transport them across the border, arming criminal organizations.
This case unfolded under “Operation Take Back America,” an initiative focused on dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation aimed to bolster security and protect communities from the escalating violence linked to these groups.
The investigation continues, promising a deeper look into the network that allegedly allowed weapons to flow from an Arizona gun shop into the hands of some of the most ruthless criminals in Mexico.
