New York City sued 15 gun dealers from five states
on Monday in what officials called the largest lawsuit of its kind to keep
criminals from getting guns, and they blamed the federal government for not
doing its job.
The city filed the suit in U.S. federal court
after it launched an undercover sting operation that found dealers allowed
convicted felons to buy guns through surrogates.
The city hired
undercover private investigators who, in teams of two, attempted "straw
purchasing," where a convicted felon or someone who does not want a gun traced
to him will use a friend or family member to pass a background check.
{GS: "allowed"? The evidence from
the sting might prove entertaining. Suspect PIs will not have followed
strict protocols.}
The suit asks the U.S. federal court to halt illegal gun sales by the dealers, appoint a special officer to monitor the dealers and require them to submit to mandatory training. {GS: Anyone have the actual filings? Doubt this is what they actually asked for and that Reuters has mischaracterized.}
The suit also seeks an unspecified amount of money to compensate New York City for its costs plus punitive damages to discourage other dealers from making questionable sales. {GS: This seems to be a variation of previous "negligent marketing" suits, except (a) they have specific targets, not an entire industry and (b) have evidence of specific illegal actions. Suspect the end game remains the same.}
-----------------
Guy Smith
Author, Gun Facts
www.GunFacts.info
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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