Arizona Gun Dealer Charged with Terrorism

An Arizona gun dealer is now facing terrorism charges due to a conspiracy to supply weapons to both the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. The U.S. State Department has classified these Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that 65-year-old Lawrence “Larry” Gray is accused of providing material support to a terrorist organization through his weapons dealings. This indictment follows an earlier one from federal prosecutors in 2025 concerning alleged sales of firearms to cartel affiliates.

The latest charges are an escalation of previous allegations against Gray. The investigation, which initially identified Gray’s gun store as high-risk, was triggered after various firearms sold there ended up in Mexico shortly afterward.

During their investigation, federal agents utilized “confidential informants” to buy different firearms. A prior criminal complaint indicated that Gray sold items such as belt-fed rifles, .50-caliber rifles, and luxury Colt 1911 handguns—firearms that cartel members apparently view as symbols of status.

According to the complaint, while shopping, one of the informants questioned Gray and his associate, 73-year-old Barrett Weinberger, about the closest entry point into Mexico. They were allegedly directed to a nearby intersection leading to Agua Prieta in Sonora state.

Initially, when authorities arrested Gray and Weinberger, they faced charges for assisting in the illegal purchase of firearms along with several weapons trafficking violations. Gray has pleaded not guilty to the new charges, while Weinberger has admitted guilt and is currently awaiting sentencing.