business
Family awarded over $100 million from ghost gun company for death of teen in historic verdict
By WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· 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 Nashville
The historic verdict against Husky Armory LLC and its parent company Up North Media LLC has significant implications for Nashville 's community. As a city that has experienced its share of gun violence, the fact that a company can sell gun-building kits without proper background checks is alarming. The case highlights the need for stricter regulations on online firearm sales, which can have devastating consequences for families and communities. In Nashville, where mental health resources are often stretched thin, the ease of access to firearms can exacerbate existing issues. The verdict serves as a warning to companies that prioritize profits over public safety, and it may prompt local lawmakers to reexamine Tennessee's laws regarding ghost guns and online firearm sales. As the city continues to grapple with issues of public safety and mental health, the outcome of this case may have a lasting impact on Nashville's approach to regulating firearms.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville 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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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