Post by Woody Williams on Jun 17, 2007 11:41:12 GMT -5
Activists trying to get gun sales banned at pawn shops in Louisville
www.fox41.com/article/view/12406/?tf=wdrbarticleview.tpl
The fight to get guns off Louisville streets has a new target. Local activists are now asking some business owners for help. They are pawn shop owners who carry everything from shotguns to revolvers.
At Stewart's Pawn Shop on West Broadway, you'll find a small arsenal of guns. Store Manager Jeff Stein explains, "We carry revolvers, automatics, we carry shotguns for hunters." But Stein says not just anyone can walk off the street and buy a gun there: "You have to pass a background check from Nix operation center, you have to fill out a federal form which is called a 44-73, and then you have to wait three days before you can pick up the gun that you're actually purchasing."
Lillian Baker, an area resident, says, "They're cheaper in the pawn shops than in the local stores and it's just a little easier for them to get them."
Background checks or not, neighbors across the city would like to see pawn shops remove the guns from the shelves. As Baker says, "It isn't anything but a problem for our youth." Bishop Franklin Johnson says, "The pawn shops are not the only ones -- you got the Walmarts that sell weapons."
Several years ago Zeke's Pawn Shop on Market Street stopped selling guns. And now there's an effort to force the city's other pawn shops to do the same. Rev. Louis Coleman of the Justice Resource Center is asking Metro Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting pawn shops from selling guns: "We have sent a fax to Metro Councilwoman Shanklin for support on this."
But it may be too late for that support from Metro Council. I just approved on May 10th many of the laws that pawnbrokers have to abide by. And until the law changes, Stewart's Pawn Shop will continue to carry and sell guns. Meanwhile, pawn shop owners can also use their discretion when selling guns to customers.
www.fox41.com/article/view/12406/?tf=wdrbarticleview.tpl
The fight to get guns off Louisville streets has a new target. Local activists are now asking some business owners for help. They are pawn shop owners who carry everything from shotguns to revolvers.
At Stewart's Pawn Shop on West Broadway, you'll find a small arsenal of guns. Store Manager Jeff Stein explains, "We carry revolvers, automatics, we carry shotguns for hunters." But Stein says not just anyone can walk off the street and buy a gun there: "You have to pass a background check from Nix operation center, you have to fill out a federal form which is called a 44-73, and then you have to wait three days before you can pick up the gun that you're actually purchasing."
Lillian Baker, an area resident, says, "They're cheaper in the pawn shops than in the local stores and it's just a little easier for them to get them."
Background checks or not, neighbors across the city would like to see pawn shops remove the guns from the shelves. As Baker says, "It isn't anything but a problem for our youth." Bishop Franklin Johnson says, "The pawn shops are not the only ones -- you got the Walmarts that sell weapons."
Several years ago Zeke's Pawn Shop on Market Street stopped selling guns. And now there's an effort to force the city's other pawn shops to do the same. Rev. Louis Coleman of the Justice Resource Center is asking Metro Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting pawn shops from selling guns: "We have sent a fax to Metro Councilwoman Shanklin for support on this."
But it may be too late for that support from Metro Council. I just approved on May 10th many of the laws that pawnbrokers have to abide by. And until the law changes, Stewart's Pawn Shop will continue to carry and sell guns. Meanwhile, pawn shop owners can also use their discretion when selling guns to customers.
