Minnesota attorney general says Fleet Farm sold guns to straw buyers

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing Fleet Farm, alleging the retailer negligently sold guns to two straw buyers, including one gun that was used in a shootout in a St. Paul bar that left one person dead and 14 bystanders injured.

The lawsuit alleges that Fleet Farm ignored multiple red flags, including sales of multiple guns in single purchases.

Ellison claims Fleet Farm stores sold the two at least 37 firearms.

Company officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ellison, a Democrat, is facing a stiff re-election challenge from Republican candidate Jim Schultz, who has made violent crime his top issue.