business
Family awarded over $100 million from ghost gun company for death of teen in historic verdict
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 19, 2026
· 2 min read
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - A jury has awarded a mother more than $104 million in a lawsuit against an online ghost-gun seller and its parent company.Laura Herp, mother of Henry Willis, was awarded $4.2 million in economic damages and $100 million in punitive damages in a Kentucky court. T...
Key takeaway (WAVE/Gray News) - A jury has awarded a mother more than $104 million in a lawsuit against an online ghost-gun seller and its parent company.
Why this matters in The Midland
The historic verdict against Husky Armory LLC and its parent company Up North Media LLC has significant implications for the Permian Basin community, where access to firearms is a contentious issue. As Midland residents consider the impact of ghost gun sales on local public safety, this case highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement of federal firearms laws. The fact that Husky Armory allegedly failed to run background checks, which would have prevented the sale of a gun-building kit to an 18-year-old with a history of mental health issues, raises concerns about the ease of access to firearms in the region. Midland County officials and community leaders may need to reexamine their approach to addressing mental health and gun safety, particularly among young people, to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The verdict's focus on negligence and negligent entrustment may also prompt local businesses to review their own practices and protocols.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - A jury has awarded a mother more than $104 million in a lawsuit against an online ghost-gun seller and its parent company.Laura Herp, mother of Henry Willis, was awarded $4.2 million in economic damages and $100 million in punitive damages in a Kentucky court. T...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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