Out-of-State Guns Used in Chicago

CBS 2 Chicago ^ | January 21, 2003 | Pam Zekman

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CHICAGO (CBS 2) A gun battle is being waged on two fronts -- from the streets of Chicago to the halls of Congress.

The last defendant in an interstate gun running scheme was sentenced on Wednesday in federal court to 15 years in prison. The case underscores how and why an increasing number of guns used to commit crimes in Chicago are coming from out of state.

There's been increasing heat on Chicago area gun dealers over the last five years. As a result, it appears an increasing number of guns recovered in Chicago crimes are coming from stores in states where regulations are more lax.

Guns coming from Indiana have increased from 9 percent to 13.4 percent in the last five years. Mississippi is up from more than 7.4 percent to more than 10 percent according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms records.

And today, the brainchild of it all, Louis Rowe, a Chicago Vice Lord, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a judge who told him, "There are only two reasons to bring guns into the city, to kill or maim people and you knew it."

"They were used to shoot people to kill people to rob people and to protect drug turf," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Alesia.

Because Rowe and his associates had criminal records, they recruited friends who have never been in trouble with the law to buy the guns and drive them back to Chicago.

The scheme worked for years until an alert ATF agent noticed an unusually large number of Chicago crime guns were tracking back to a small gun store in Mississippi.

"These individuals would bring crack cocaine from Chicago down to Grenada, Mississippi. They would sell the crack for approximately double its value,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Markus Funk. “They would then invest that money in guns."

And they made huge profits. An assault rifle costing $165 in Missisippi was sold for up to $2000 in Chicago.

So far 26 of the guns Rowe's group purchased have been recovered in Chicago crimes.

“The cost to society and here in Chicago is just astronomical," Alesia said.

And gun control advocates say the interstate trafficking will continue to be a huge problem until states have uniform gun laws.

[Mini-14]

New title: "Chicago drug lords ship crack cocain to Mississippi"

[2banana]

Funny how in the states where these "evil" guns are legally purchased they don't have out of control crime. I guess something magically happens when the guns come into Chicago...

[vetvetdoug]

OTOH, we in Mississippi are seeing lots of criminals and drug dealers coming from Chicago and polluting our population here. One family from Chicago was responsible for almost all of the crack being sold in a town of 20,000. It took about a year to get all of them sent to Parchman. Cars stolen from Chicago routinely are found on the back road near my house burned. I stay armed because of the criminals that are coming from Chicago and are used to robbing castrated families that have no personal protection.

[punster]

Just more excuses by the political whore, Mayor Daley.

[BluSky]

"Must be a breach in the fence near the southern Indiana perimeter." "While you're at it, check the entire outer perimeters . . . they're getting in here somewhere . . . we'll find them, Captain . . . " (snicker snicker)

[William Tell]

2banana said: "Funny how in the states where these "evil" guns are legally purchased they don't have out of control crime. I guess something magically happens when the guns come into Chicago..."

And that is despite the fact that a rifle that can be bought for just $165 in Mississippi costs the criminals in Chicago $2000.

One must simply conclude that there is some other factor at work which makes criminal activity more economically attractive in Chicago. Let's see ... Could it be the corruption of the government ... or the disarming of the populace. Just to be safe, I think that they should do away with both.

[PattonReincarnated]

>> An assault rifle costing $165 in Missisippi was sold for up to $2000 in Chicago.

Yeah, right. I guess a cheap shot gun or .22 is now called an assault rifle.

>> And gun control advocates say the interstate trafficking will continue to be a huge problem until states have uniform gun laws.

What about the NRA has to say?

[stands2reason]

Gun prohibition in Chicago makes the criminal element the most profitable gun dealers.

[muir_redwoods]

This can't be. It's illegal. Don't try to tell me the criminals aren't obeying the law. I'm sure the clever politicians of Cook County and down state in Springfield must have considered this. How is it that the criminals are ignoring the law?

[neverdem]

As a result, it appears an increasing number of guns recovered in Chicago crimes are coming from stores in states where regulations are more lax.

DUH, create a black market and guess what happens.

[KingNo155]

How about "Out-of-State Crack Used in Mississippi"

[tpaine]

" --- gun control advocates say the interstate trafficking will continue to be a huge problem until states have uniform gun laws."


_____________________________________


Advocates of the 2nd Amendment say the unconstitutional laws on 'interstate trafficking' will continue to be a huge problem until ALL states uniformily reject federal gun laws that violate our RKBA's...

[IncPen]

... ping ...

[Shooter 2.5]

The NRA says as soon as the 75 Million Gun owners stop voting for the anti-Rights dem party, we won't have gun control.

[pabianice]

Out of State Brains Needed in Chicago

[Shooter 2.5]

I wonder what will happen to Chicago's crime rate when all the states that surround Illinois have CCW laws?

[pabianice]

I have to admit I take great pleasure in watching Chicago and rest of Gore Country crumble to ruin and anarchy under Liberal rule. Iowa's kick in the teeth to the labor unions' hand puppet Gephardt has sent chills of terror through Chicago and every other labor crime syndicate city.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Let's face it,its not the guns but Illinois fosters criminal behavior and it is a democrap state.

[JOAT]

So far 26 of the guns Rowe's group purchased have been recovered in Chicago crimes.

SNIP

The scheme worked for years until an alert ATF agent noticed an unusually large number of Chicago crime guns were tracking back to a small gun store in Mississippi.

SNIP

Guns coming from Indiana have increased from 9 percent to 13.4 percent in the last five years. Mississippi is up from more than 7.4 percent to more than 10 percent according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms records.

Hmmn. So 26 guns over the "years" of this scheme is an "unusually large number?"

Sounds rather minimal in a city with millions of people. Could this be SPIN somehow?

[Oztrich Boy]

"These individuals would bring crack cocaine from Chicago down to Grenada, Mississippi. They would sell the crack for approximately double its value,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Markus Funk.

There are price controls on crack cocaine now? Guess it's true about Chicago: The Syndicate runs that town.

An assault rifle costing $165 in Missisippi was sold for up to $2000 in Chicago.

A Title 2 NFA Class 3 select fire weapon can be had for $165 in Miss? Whatever happened to the Law od Supply and Demand?