Father Michael Pfleger, the outspoken pastor of Chicago's St. Sabina Church known for defacing tobacco and alcohol billboards in his church's neighborhood, believes the latter.
Two weeks after Holt's death, Pfleger and Rev. Jesse Jackson led 200 Chicagoans in a march to Chuck's Gun Shop in bordering Riverdale where police say more guns involved in crimes have been traced than any other gun shop--2,370 from 1996 to 2000--including the weapon that killed a police officer nine years ago.
Chuck's was ready for the visit with a semitrailer truck parked in front to block protesters' access and doors tightly shut and locked.
"We're going to snuff out legislators that are voting against our gun laws," Father Pfleger told the crowd of gun violence victims, community activists and reporters. "We will call them out by name, by district. We will expose you, legislators."
And Chuck's Gun Shop owner, John Riggio who is hiding his identity behind a trust, according to Pfleger?
"We're going to find you and snuff you out. Like a rat you're going to hide. But like a rat, we're going to catch you and pull you out."
Pfleger is not alone in his exasperation at suburban and downstate politicians in thrall to the gun lobby--and oblivious to the Chicago blood bath.
Days after the Virginia Tech shootings, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley introduced yet again legislation in Springfield to ban assault weapons and .50-caliber rifles; limit handgun purchases to one a month (there go your rights!) mandate licensing of gun dealers by the state police; and limit all gun sales to licensed dealers.
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