In the Sights of Gun Control Activists for Decades, Chuck’s Gun Shop Apparently Closes
A South Suburban Store in the Crosshairs
Chuck’s Gun Shop, a south suburban store in the sights of gun control activists for decades, appears to have closed, according to federal records and a sign on a window saying “going fishing forever.”
A History of Controversy
John Riggio, who managed the store, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Link to Crime
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives database of federally licensed gun stores doesn’t list Chuck’s after December. ATF officials couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
Gun Control Advocates’ Target
Over the years, gun control advocates have singled out Chuck’s for selling many of the guns that were linked to crimes in Chicago.
Lawsuit Against the Store
The Riverdale store was a defendant in a $433 million lawsuit former Mayor Richard M. Daley brought against suburban gun shops in 1999, claiming they knowingly sold to “straw purchasers,” people who could legally buy the weapons but would then turn them over to criminals.
Failed Lawsuit
The city and Cook County filed that unsuccessful lawsuit to recoup their costs from gun violence, force manufacturers to put trigger locks on guns and prevent distributors from marketing to retailers who sell at gun shows.
A Demonstration Against the Store
A demonstration against Chuck’s Gun Shop in Riverdale on September 6, 2014. Rev. Michael Pfleger is on the left.
Another Lawsuit Against the Store
Chuck’s also was one of the stores targeted by a 2015 lawsuit seeking to force suburbs like Riverdale to boost their regulation of gun dealers.
A Statement from Rev. Michael Pfleger
On Friday, Pfleger released a statement calling the apparent closing of Chuck’s “great news for Chicago.”
Conclusion
The apparent closing of Chuck’s Gun Shop is a significant development in the ongoing debate over gun control. While the store’s closure may not address the root causes of gun violence, it is a step in the right direction.
FAQs
* What is the significance of Chuck’s Gun Shop’s closure?
The apparent closure of Chuck’s Gun Shop is a significant development in the ongoing debate over gun control. While the store’s closure may not address the root causes of gun violence, it is a step in the right direction.
* What was Chuck’s Gun Shop known for?
Chuck’s Gun Shop was known for selling many of the guns that were linked to crimes in Chicago.
* What lawsuits was Chuck’s Gun Shop involved in?
Chuck’s Gun Shop was a defendant in a $433 million lawsuit brought by former Mayor Richard M. Daley against suburban gun shops in 1999, and in a 2015 lawsuit seeking to force suburbs like Riverdale to boost their regulation of gun dealers.
* Who is Rev. Michael Pfleger?
Rev. Michael Pfleger is a pastor at St. Sabina Catholic Church on the South Side and a prominent gun control advocate.
