Chicago Sun Times: Felon charged with selling 47 guns to federal informant
A convicted felon is charged in federal court with illegally supplying 47 guns to an informant who secretly recorded the transactions on the South Side.
But, but, it's illegal for a felon to receive or posses a firearm. "WE NEED STRONGER LAWS" the antis cry. I never did understand this 'stronger laws' thing. Do you change the law to read "it's extra illegal for a felon to posses a firearm"? No, what the antis mean is that they want MORE laws. What we have here is a prohibited person that didn't follow the law. Not only did he not follow one law, but he failed to obey MORE laws. You see, in Illinois, before taking possession of a firearm, the potential buyer must posses a firearm owner identification card (FOID).
...any Illinois resident who acquires or possess firearms or firearm ammunition within the state must have in his or her possession a valid FOID card issued in his or her name. Source (pdf)Mr. Levaine was a prohibited person and he didn't posses a FOID in his name. That's two laws broken just for one firearm. In order to purchase a firearm from a private individual:
- Seller and Buyer must possess a valid FOID card
- Buyer must display his or her valid FOID card prior to handling the firearm.
- Buyer must abide by the Staet of Illinois waiting period before taking possession of the firearm. The waiting period for a long gun is 24 hours and 72 hours for a hand gun.
- Seller must keep a record of such transfer for a period of 10 years from the date of transfer.
- The record must contain the date of the transfer, the description, serial number, or other information identifying the firearm is no serial number is available.
- Upon transfer of possession, the firearm must be unloaded and enclosed in a case to transport.
It appears now that at least three laws were broken, just for one firearm
Levaine Tanksley, 27, allegedly sold the firearms to the informant between April 22 and Monday, when Tanksley was arrested. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and is being held for a detention hearing Friday. In 2006, he was convicted of a drug charge and received probation in Cook County Criminal Court.
Again, broke the law when he sold the firearms. That's four laws broken now.
Investigators with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Chicago Police and Illinois State Police will try to determine where Tanksley allegedly got the 47 weapons, which the informant bought for about $28,000, said ATF spokesman Tom Ahern. At least 23 of the guns came from out-of-state dealers, according to a federal complaint.
23 firearms were purchase from out of state. That's another law that was broken, 23 times. That brings the total up to five laws broken, for 23 firearms and 4 laws broken for the remaining 24 for a grand total of 211 times the law was broken, disobeyed, not heeded, poked in the eye, had a nose thumbed at it, mocked and violated.
Would one more law have prevented this prohibited person from possessing a firearm? No, it would have been just one more law to add to the list of violations. Would a STRONGER law have prevented this prohibited person from selling 47 firearms? Again, I don't understand the concept of stronger laws, I doubt if the law said "it's super duper illegal to sell firearms without a FOID card" that Mr. Levaine would have changed his mind.
Criminals will get weapons regardless of the law. If they can't buy them or steal them, they can certainly make them, or worse, start using explosives.
what say you?
The question you're leaving out is where did he get the guns.
ReplyDeleteTraced back a step or two and you'll find a lawful gun owner who somehow allowed his legally owned property to slip into criminal hands.
Laws which would diminish that are what's missing.
Ah, yes, of course, let's legislate a burden on the lawful citizens of the state of Chicago and prosecute the victims of theft. Oh, wait, Yes, Chicago requires that all but one firearm be locked away. Chicago also requires, in addition to Illinois FOID the Chicago Firearm Permit (CFP), there's another law broken 47 times. Chicago requires registration of all firearms, so there's another law broken 47 times. It's also in violation of the law to possess a firearm outside of the home unless lawfully transporting the firearm. Since some of the sales were conducted at the residence, I suppose this law was only broken at least 23 times.
DeleteLaws don't prevent crime, only punish the criminals and MORE laws won't prevent crime, but thanks for your comment mikeb.
Mike- The total tally of out-of-state handguns are 32. You may be disappointed to know that those 32 firearms were stolen. The CPD does have an Intelligence division for such a thing. Those numbers are fact, however I am still awaiting info on the other 15 guns. At this time however, it seems none of these guns were acquired through owners selling their guns.
ReplyDeleteBill- This actually occurred on the West Side. But yes, tougher gun laws would not have prevented this. Seems the only thing that would have prevented it, would be Illinois stop paroling Felony drug convicts.
Good morning J.O.B., another early riser.
DeleteSeems the only thing that would have prevented it, would be Illinois stop paroling Felony drug convicts.
Or stop having prohibited persons. Even if he did his full time in jail, he could still go acquire firearms and sell them afterwards. Instead denying firearms to felons, simply put them in jail longer for committing a crime with a firearm.
Many states allow felons to possess firearms after completion of their sentence, or a set time after the completion of their sentence. If the minimum, mandatory jail time for committing a second violent crime with a firearm was at 15 years, I think criminals would second guess their career.
Stupid internet, it took me three tries and 30 minutes to post this one comment