Kentucky mother sues gun kit seller after son dies by suicide

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Kentucky mother is suing a company that sold her son a gun-building kit, which he used to take his own life.

Henry Willis had just graduated from Seneca High School in 2023. A little more than a month later, an 80% gun-building kit arrived on his doorstep. There was no background check. No age verification. Six days later, Henry was gone.

“He was artistic. He was very kind, and he was really good at bringing people together,” said his mother, Laura Herp. “He had it all, maybe not the best mental health, but we could've worked on that."

Herp said the months leading up to his death were dark. He battled signs of schizophrenia, had trouble with the law, and broke his neck.

“I really felt hopeful in that last month, because things were getting better,” she said.

Herp believes Husky Armory robbed her of the chance to lift her son from the darkness. She’s now suing the company.

The lawsuit said Henry received an 80% build kit.

“It’s 80% complete in that it’s been 80% assembled, but has 100% of the parts,” said the family’s attorney, Tad Thomas.

A couple screws later, Henry had a fully operable pistol. Thomas said Husky sold Henry the kit online without checking his age or criminal record. Both checks would’ve disqualified him. All Henry had to do was check a box saying he was 21.

The lawsuit claims the company operates without a federal firearms license.

“It is not, and never has been, a federally licensed gun dealer,” according to the lawsuit.

According to Husky Armory’s website, "Traditionally, these unfinished components weren’t legally classified as firearms under federal law, allowing them to be sold without background checks or serial numbers. Using readily available tools, individuals could complete these components and assemble functional firearms without any government oversight."

“Why the ATF hasn't enforced the law against this particular company? It's very clear that these kits are considered firearms and should fall under the Federal Firearms regulations,” Thomas said.

WDRB reached out to the company for comment, but so far, there has been no response.

In Kentucky, the teenage firearm suicide rate is 82.5% higher than the national average according to Everytown Law.

Herp believes her son would still be alive if he was never sold the kit.

Two years later, Henry’s room is quiet. But his mother is raising her voice for him — and others.

“Maybe this wasn't in vain. You know, I just can't seem to accept that it could be in vain,” Herp said.

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