A New Hampshire company, KBC Capital, LLC, doing business as “Lethal Eye,” has been handed a sentence for their role in the illegal distribution of firearm silencers. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the company was sentenced to three years' probation and is ordered to pay a $260,000 fine after pleading guilty to 26 counts of transferring a firearm in violation of the National Firearms Act (NFA). Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the threat posed by these devices, stating, "Silencers allow for the proliferation in criminal activity by reducing the sound of gunfire and affecting the ability to identify the location and source of a shot."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) has expressed its determination to actively prosecute violations of the NFA statutes. James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, told the Justice Department, “ATF takes violations of the National Firearm Acts very seriously, and suppressors in the wrong hands possesses significant threats to public safety. Today’s sentence, reinforces ATF’s commitment to arresting and prosecuting individuals who violate the NFA statutes.” The investigation brought together multiple law enforcement agencies to effectively hold the company accountable for its actions.
Homeland Security Investigations in New England Special Agent in Charge, Michael J. Krol, highlighted the responsibilities of companies in the firearms trade to adhere to regulations that ensure safety and legality. In a statement obtained by the Justice Department, Krol underlined the importance of holding sellers accountable, indicating that "each and every illicit silencer has potential for violent use and today's sentence accounts for each transfer of a silencer made by KBC confirmed by this investigation."
Moreover, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was also involved in the case, ensuring that the postal system was not complicit in distributing illegal items, as detailed by the Justice Department. Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division, Ketty Larco-Ward, noted, "The sentence handed down in this case serves as a reminder that postal inspectors, along with our law enforcement partners, remain steadfast in our resolve to protect our communities from dangerous weapons." Furthermore, DEA's involvement showcases a broader commitment across agencies to collaboratively to combat the distribution of illegal firearm accessories, with Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge stating, "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop illegal activities so our communities can be safe places to be."
KBC, which operated under the deceptive guise of "Lethal Eye," sold firearm accessories that were misrepresented as simple muzzle breaks but were in actuality components for firearm silencers. The ATF's search of KBC's principal place of business resulted in the discovery of hundreds of these illegal items. The company's negligence in acquiring the necessary licenses and failing to pay the appropriate taxes for manufacturing silencers contributed to their violation of the NFA, a legislation important for regulating the transfer of firearms associated with an increased risk of criminal misuse.
