Landmark Victory for the City of Baltimore in the Largest Ever Verdict in American History Against a Gun Dealer

Public Nuisance | Circuit Court of Baltimore City

The City of Baltimore accused firearm retailer Hanover Armory, LLC of negligence and disregard for consumer protections, which allegedly created a public nuisance. The City argued that Hanover violated the Maryland Consumer Protection Act and fueled gun violence. After deliberating for only 90 minutes following the two-week trial in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, a jury unanimously awarded the City of Baltimore $62 million in damages against the defendant, finding that Hanover Armory was responsible for supplying ghost guns, unserialized and untraceable firearms, that contributed to a surge in violent crimes across the city. The $62 million award will be used to support community violence intervention initiatives through abatement programs overseen by the City. DOAR was retained to assist the trial teams with graphics consulting, multimedia design, and evidence presentation.

Quantifying the Problem: 2,347 Unserialized Firearm Kits

The visual exhibits developed by DOAR were designed to clearly and persuasively illustrate the scope of Hanover Armory's role in the proliferation of unserialized "ghost guns" and the magnitude of their impact on the City of Baltimore. Together, the images provide a compelling visual narrative that helped the jury grasp both the scale of the problem and the distinction between lawful and unlawful firearms.

Collectively, these visuals convey a clear, cohesive message: Hanover Armory's practices directly enabled the unchecked spread of untraceable weapons, fueling violence and undermining public safety in Baltimore. By combining visual clarity with evidentiary precision, DOAR's graphics helped jurors contextualize complex data, understand the societal implications of ghost gun trafficking, and connect the defendant's conduct to the resulting harm.

These exhibits exemplify how effective visual communication can distill technical information into powerful, accessible evidence, contributing to the City of Baltimore's landmark $62 million verdict.

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