Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced a settlement in a civil lawsuit against FSS Armory, Inc., a licensed firearms retailer. The lawsuit was initiated due to the store's inadequate gun storage practices, which were publicly displayed on its website and led to a 2023 burglary where 18 unsecured guns were stolen.
The aftermath of the burglary saw only half of the stolen firearms recovered, each found at crime scenes or with criminals. One incident resulted in injury to a police officer responding to a crime scene involving one of the stolen guns.
The settlement requires FSS Armory to enhance security measures at its Pine Brook location in Morris County and secure its firearms inventory. Additionally, the company must pay $125,000 as compensation to New Jersey.
This case marks one of the first lawsuits by Attorney General Platkin through the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office. SAFE aims to hold firearms industry members accountable for legal violations affecting public safety. The lawsuit cited four counts of unlawful conduct by FSS Armory, including negligence and violations of New Jersey’s firearms industry public safety law enacted in 2022.
“This case is a stark example of the consequences that can result when unsecured firearms fall into the wrong hands,” said Attorney General Platkin. “In New Jersey, we use every tool at our disposal to prevent violence caused by firearms.”
Ravi Ramanathan, Director of SAFE, stated: “Today’s settlement agreement demonstrates that our state’s firearms industry public safety law works exactly as intended.”
FSS Armory admitted to storing unsecured guns within easy reach of a ground-floor window and acknowledged posting images online. In January 2023, two individuals broke into the store and stole seven pistols, six shotguns, four rifles, and one revolver without triggering an alarm.
Following this theft, these individuals committed another crime in Passaic by robbing a jewelry store at gunpoint. Of the nine recovered guns from this burglary, all have links to criminal activities across Newark, Paterson, and New York City.
As part of the resolution under the Consent Order and Final Judgment:
- FSS Armory will install an alarm system on all windows and doors.
- Bars will be placed on exterior windows.
- Firearms will be stored securely during non-business hours.
- Compliance with all requirements will be monitored by an independent inspector every six months for four years.
SAFE's work contributes significantly to reducing gun violence in New Jersey. The state reports having one of the lowest rates of firearm deaths nationwide. In 2024 alone, shooting incidents fell below 800 for the first time since records began.
SAFE's investigation involved multiple officials including Deputy Director Jeremy Ershow and Assistant Attorney General Shira Arnow among others from New Jersey's Division of Law.
SAFE was established in 2022 by Attorney General Platkin under state legislation P.L. 2022 c.56 focusing on firearm industry compliance and accountability.
