Louisville Mother Sues Gun Seller After Son’s Suicide

Louisville, Kentucky, October 16, 2025

News Summary

A Louisville mother, Laura Herp, is suing Husky Armory and Up North Media after her son Henry’s tragic suicide. She alleges negligence in allowing an illegal purchase of a gun kit, without proper age verification or background checks. The lawsuit highlights Henry’s mental health struggles and past legal issues, raising questions about firearm accessibility and youth safety in relation to mental health. This case could impact future legislation on gun assembly kit sales.

Louisville, Kentucky – A Louisville mother, Laura Herp, is taking legal action against Husky Armory and its parent company, Up North Media, following the tragic suicide of her son, 18-year-old Henry Willis. Herp claims that the companies showed negligence in allowing her son to illegally purchase a handgun kit without conducting appropriate age verification or background checks.

Henry was a recent graduate of Seneca High School in Jefferson County and was known for his beautiful singing voice. He had a positive relationship with his family, teaching his younger brother how to roller skate. However, in the months leading to his death on August 5, 2023, he displayed signs of impulsive aggression and experienced symptoms of schizophrenia. He also faced legal issues, including a protective order against him, shortly after suffering a neck injury in a fall.

On July 6, 2023, Henry purchased a gun assembly kit from Husky Armory, based in Nebraska, which allowed him to build a fully functional handgun. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to verify his age or conduct a background check, both of which are crucial steps that should have prevented his purchase due to his age and prior legal troubles. The kit arrived on July 30, 2023, just six days before Henry’s suicide.

The lawsuit contends that if the necessary checks had been instituted, Henry would not have been able to acquire the firearm. It argues that the assembly kits should be classified as firearms under the federal Gun Control Act, which would necessitate background checks and age verification. Herp is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, emphasizing the wrongful death and negligence associated with the sale of the kit.

Husky Armory openly advertises on its website that it allows customers to buy gun assembly kits without background checks or mandatory waiting periods. Importantly, neither Husky Armory nor Up North Media is a federally licensed firearms dealer, raising further questions about the legality and accountability of their sales practices.

The legal action has garnered support from Thomas Law Offices and Everytown Law, organizations that have previously engaged in similar cases concerning youth access to firearms. Experts highlight growing concerns over mental health issues among teenagers and the continuing trend of easy access to firearms.

Background Context on Mental Health and Gun Access

In recent years, concerns about teenage mental health have surged, coinciding with rising instances of suicide and self-harm among adolescents. Experts indicate that while mental health support services are improving, accessibility to firearms remains a significant risk factor in self-harm incidents. The troubling combination of untreated mental health issues and easy access to weapons poses a challenge to families and communities striving to prevent such tragedies.

Key Points of the Case

• Incident Date: Suicide occurred on August 5, 2023.
• Purchase Date: Gun assembly kit purchased on July 6, 2023.
• Kit Delivery: Arrived on July 30, 2023.
• Legal Status: Henry’s age (18), protective order, and previous misdemeanor charge were factors that should have prohibited the purchase.
• Negligence Claim: Suit argues lack of age verification and background checks by Husky Armory.
• Legal Support: Represented by Thomas Law Offices and Everytown Law.

Impact on Legislation and Youth Safety

This case may prompt a re-evaluation of laws surrounding the sale of gun assembly kits and the responsibilities of manufacturers. Advocates for gun reform hope such lawsuits can drive changes that protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from easily accessing firearms. The tragic story of Henry Willis serves as a poignant reminder of the emerging intersection between mental health and gun access in contemporary society.

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: Kentucky News
• WKYT: Child Psychologists Discuss TikTok Trend
• Legacy: Kimberly Schriefer Obituary
• Wikipedia: Mental Health
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Mental Health

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