Dealer: Chicago gun sales ‘a business opportunity’

Associated Press

CHICAGO

Firearms dealers near Chicago contemplated new business opportunities Tuesday after a federal judge’s ruling declaring the city’s ban on gun sales unconstitutional.

A day after U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang’s ruling, it wasn’t yet clear whether Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel would continue to defend the ban with an appeal or switch to less-restrictive tactics such as limiting where gun shops locate.

Illinois in July became the nation’s last state to approve concealed carry of firearms and established the toughest training regimen. Gun shop owners said Tuesday city firearms sales, combined with the new concealed carry law, would bring down crime rates in Chicago as more law-abiding citizens train to carry guns.

“It’s a business opportunity in a great city,” Barry Soskin, who owns a suburban gun shop named Article II Range, said of the judge’s ruling. While he’s not sure if he would open a gun store in Chicago, he hopes someone does and he’s not worried about the competition.

The intent of Chicago’s ban has been to reduce gun violence. The city led the nation in homicides in 2012 with more than 500, but in 2013 the city recorded the fewest killings since 1965 and saw its overall crime rate fall to level not seen since 1972.

Monday’s ruling gave the city one week to file a notice of appeal while also temporarily staying the effects of the ruling until at least then. Chang set a status hearing for Jan. 14 and, in his ruling, suggested some breathing room for Chicago leaders to readjust their strategy.