D.C. Sniper’s Alleged Shoplifting Costs Gun Shop Owner His License

A federal judge in Washington state has agreed that the owners of a gun shop from which a rifle used in 2002's fatal D.C. sniper shootings allegedly was shoplifted should not get back their licenses to sell firearms.

Attorney James Frush of Seattle, who represents Brian Borgelt and his former business partner, Charles Carr, says they probably will appeal last week's decision by U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez, reports the Seattle Times.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revoked their licenses in 2003, after they could not produce records for nearly 240 gun sales at Bull's Eye Shooter Supply in Tacoma when authorities investigating the sniper attack came to call.

Officials have said they were told by Lee Boyd Malvo, who is serving a life sentence in the slayings, that he shoplifted a $1,600 Bushmaster carbine from the store, the newspaper reports, relying on unidentified sources. His partner in crime, John Allen Muhammad, was sentenced to death in the case and is scheduled to be executed in November.

Additional coverage:

Associated Press: "License ruling stands for gun shop tied to snipers"