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Gun dealers agree to sales monitoring By DAVID B. CARUSO, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 4 minutes ago
Gun dealers in three states agreed to have their sales monitored to settle a lawsuit accusing them of recklessly selling firearms later used to commit crimes in New York City, according to a deal announced Friday.
The shops in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Georgia were among 15 the city sued last spring after they sold pistols to undercover investigators posing as "straw purchasers" — people who buy guns on behalf of someone prohibited from owning them.
The scam, prohibited by federal law, is typically used by people who are under 21 or convicted felons. Each store denied wrongdoing, but five have now settled.
Now, a monitor selected by the city will review sales activities at the three shops for at least three years. Sales clerks may be videotaped or subjected to spot checks by undercover inspectors. Violations could lead to fines, from $1,000 to $20,000.
"By increasing monitoring and accountability among these gun dealers, we're making sure that these guns don't end up on New York City streets or those of other cities across our country," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.
"These gun dealers have stepped up to do the right thing and I encourage the remaining 10 dealers to do the same," he said.
The stores covered by the deal were Cole's Gun Shop, of South Boston, Va., Big Tom's Pawn Shop, of Savannah, Ga., and Dunkelberger's Sports Outfitters, of Stroudsburg, Pa. The city targeted the shops because they were among those that had most often sold weapons later seized by New York City police.
Big Tom's Pawn Shop owner Eric Richman said he was confident his store had done nothing wrong, but agreeing to monitoring was better than a costly legal battle. He said, "I think it's good for everybody."
The owner of Dunkelberger's declined to comment without first consulting his lawyer. The owner of Cole's Gun Shop and a store attorney did not return phone messages.
I wonder if I can find the list of the 15 shops anywhere?
2 hours, 4 minutes ago
PHP:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060922/ap_on_re_us/gun_lawsuitGun dealers in three states agreed to have their sales monitored to settle a lawsuit accusing them of recklessly selling firearms later used to commit crimes in New York City, according to a deal announced Friday.
The shops in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Georgia were among 15 the city sued last spring after they sold pistols to undercover investigators posing as "straw purchasers" — people who buy guns on behalf of someone prohibited from owning them.
The scam, prohibited by federal law, is typically used by people who are under 21 or convicted felons. Each store denied wrongdoing, but five have now settled.
Now, a monitor selected by the city will review sales activities at the three shops for at least three years. Sales clerks may be videotaped or subjected to spot checks by undercover inspectors. Violations could lead to fines, from $1,000 to $20,000.
"By increasing monitoring and accountability among these gun dealers, we're making sure that these guns don't end up on New York City streets or those of other cities across our country," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.
"These gun dealers have stepped up to do the right thing and I encourage the remaining 10 dealers to do the same," he said.
The stores covered by the deal were Cole's Gun Shop, of South Boston, Va., Big Tom's Pawn Shop, of Savannah, Ga., and Dunkelberger's Sports Outfitters, of Stroudsburg, Pa. The city targeted the shops because they were among those that had most often sold weapons later seized by New York City police.
Big Tom's Pawn Shop owner Eric Richman said he was confident his store had done nothing wrong, but agreeing to monitoring was better than a costly legal battle. He said, "I think it's good for everybody."
The owner of Dunkelberger's declined to comment without first consulting his lawyer. The owner of Cole's Gun Shop and a store attorney did not return phone messages.
I wonder if I can find the list of the 15 shops anywhere?
