BRUNSWICK, Ga. -- When it comes to gun sales, Ed Tompkins knows all about it.
"We've been in the business since 2007 selling new and used firearms," said Tompkins, President of Shooters of America, Inc.
Firearms, like this AR-15 rifle, which is the exact type of gun that landed a Glynn County man in the hospital in critical condition.
Tuesday evening, Glynn County officers responded to Townsend Park in reference to shots fired. When they arrived, they found Tyler Scott Harris, 23, suffering from two gunshot wounds.
According to police, Harris went to the park to sell a firearm. A group of three, one 16-year-old juvenile, and Brunswick brothers Laddarius Lawrence, 18, and Lorenzo Lawrence, 20, showed up. One of them, who police have yet to name, was there to buy it.
But things did not go according to plan.
"They attempted to rob Harris of it. He fought back. One of them shot him and they fled," said Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering.
The three suspects have since been arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Police are also investigating if gang-related charges should be filed as well.
This crime raised an interesting question regarding the sale of firearms in public places. So we went straight to Chief Doering to sort it out.
"There's no law against selling a gun from one individual to that of another, so long as the gun itself is legal and you are of age," Doering said.
But dealers like Tompkins certainly don't recommend it.
"When you go to someplace where you don't know the people, you're taking a big chance," said Tompkins.
Tompkins recommends always going through a dealer. While there is an associated fee for that, he says it should give you peace of mind knowing there's a paper trail and the proper background checks will be done. And hopefully, it will minimize the risk of what happened Tuesday night.
"You can take the gun out of the equation. Anything you try to sell that way, you're taking a chance. You're dealing with people you don't know that could try to take advantage of you, or hurt you, or steal it from you," he said.
Police tell Action News the rifle Harris was trying to sell did not have a serial number on it. All three of the suspects were also under the legal age of 21 to own a gun in Georgia. So according to Chief Doering, Harris may be facing potential firearm charges.
Harris is currently being treated for his injuries at Savannah Memorial where he remains in critical condition.
