ABC IP, LLC et al. v. John Faulkner d/b/a Firearms Depot
Case Overview: ABC IP, LLC et al. v. John Faulkner d/b/a Firearms Depot
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Gainesville Division)
- Case Number: 1:26-CV-00126
- Filing Date: May 27, 2026
- Plaintiffs: ABC IP, LLC & Rare Breed Triggers, Inc.
- Defendant: John Faulkner, an individual d/b/a Firearms Depot
- Nature of Action: Complaint for Patent Infringement (Jury Trial Demanded)
Executive Summary
Plaintiffs ABC IP, LLC (the patent owner) and Rare Breed Triggers, Inc. (the exclusive licensee) have filed a federal patent infringement lawsuit against John Faulkner, operating as Firearms Depot. The complaint accuses the Defendant of manufacturing, using, selling, offering for sale, and importing an unauthorized firearm component kit known as the “Super Safety”.
Plaintiffs contend that this product directly copies and infringes upon a portfolio of their patented innovations designed for AR-15 pattern firearms, specifically regarding advanced “forced reset trigger” (FRT) systems and multi-mode safety mechanisms. Because the Defendant allegedly continues these commercial activities despite having knowledge of the issued patents, the Plaintiffs are charging them with willful infringement, opening the door for enhanced punitive damages.
The Technology in Dispute
The technical substance of the lawsuit centers on firearm trigger engineering—specifically the transition from standard semi-automatic mechanisms to advanced forced reset trigger (FRT) mechanisms:
- Standard Semi-Automatic Trigger: Relies on a traditional disconnector component. When a round is fired, the user must manually release pressure on the trigger member so that a trigger spring can reset it, allowing the main sear to re-engage the hammer for a subsequent shot. This mechanical design naturally limits the speed of sequential fires.
- Forced Reset Mechanism (The Patented Invention): Eliminates the standard disconnector configuration entirely. Instead, it utilizes a specialized cam and lever system cycled dynamically by the rearward and forward movement of the firearm’s bolt carrier. This system mechanically forces the trigger member forward into its reset position during the action cycle and locks it there until the firearm is safely back in battery, enabling an accelerated, highly efficient firing sequence.
Breakdown of Infringement Claims
The complaint asserts that Firearms Depot’s “Super Safety” kit (sold via their website as both partial component kits and complete modified trigger assemblies) infringes upon five distinct U.S. Patents:
Count I: U.S. Patent No. 12,038,247
Focuses on the overarching forced-reset firearm trigger mechanism utilizing a moving cam lobe to force the trigger member back into its set position.
Count II: U.S. Patent No. 12,031,784
Covers an extended trigger member locking device featuring an upward extension piece (lever arm) that uses direct contact with the cycling bolt carrier to precisely lock and unlock the trigger.
Count III: U.S. Patent No. 12,529,538
Pertains to the specialized safety selection mechanism. It protects a three-mode cam selector component that allows a user to physically switch a single firearm platform between regular semi-automatic mode, forced-reset mode, and traditional “safe” mode.
Count IV: U.S. Patent No. 12,578,159
Protects the exact mechanical geometry and interactions between the hammer sear, trigger sear surfaces, and the pivoting action of the forced-reset cam during cycling.
Count V: U.S. Patent No. 12,636,403
Covers the dual-mode safety selector configuration that allows a user to toggle between standard disconnector operations and forced-reset operations within a single receiver box.
Remedy & Relief Sought
ABC IP and Rare Breed Triggers allege that the Defendant’s actions have caused severe, irreparable economic, market, and reputational harm to their business. They are asking the United States District Court to grant the following legal remedies:
- Injunctions: Entry of both a preliminary and a permanent injunction to immediately stop John Faulkner/Firearms Depot from manufacturing, marketing, advertising, or selling the Super Safety kits or components.
- Compensatory Damages: An award of damages adequate to fully compensate the Plaintiffs for infringement, including lost profits or no less than a reasonable royalty.
- Punitive Multipliers: Asking the court to treble (triple) the total damage award pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 284 due to the deliberate, “egregious and willful” nature of the infringement.
- Legal Fees and Costs: A formal finding that this litigation constitutes an “exceptional case” under 35 U.S.C. § 285, thereby requiring the Defendant to reimburse the Plaintiffs for all of their attorneys’ fees and associated court costs.
