Faith group protests Phila. for not identifying problem gun dealers
Responding to fatal shootings in Kensington last weekend that left four dead, included a 4-year-old girl, a faith-based group on Thursday renewed its call for action to curb gun violence in Philadelphia.
Responding to fatal shootings in Kensington last weekend that left four dead, included a 4-year-old girl, a faith-based group on Thursday renewed its call for action to curb gun violence in Philadelphia.
Heeding God's Call also vowed to fight a businessman's continued effort to start gun sales at a shooting range near 10th and Spring Garden Streets in the city.
More than 70 people gathered at McPherson Square to remember the victims, including Tahirah Phillips, the girl who police say was accidentally shot in the head by her father Saturday afternoon.
Bryan Miller, the group's executive director, asked the city to begin identifying which gun dealers sold firearms that later were used in Philadelphia crimes.
Miller said the city collects the data, but cites a federal restriction on releasing the information for not identifying the dealers.
Miller noted that Chicago does not believe it is restricted and does make the information public.
"We should have the same information in Philadelphia," Miller said.
"We want to know who they are," Miller said of the dealers.
The group also is fighting an effort to start licensed gun sales at The Gun Range in the 500 block of North Percy Street, near the former location of Colosimo's, a gun store that shut down in 2009 amid regular protests by Heeding God's Call.
Miller said that Yuri Zalzman, who rents the property from James Colosimo, was denied a zoning variance and is now appealing the decision in Common Pleas Court.
In advance of a court hearing on the matter, Heeding God's Call will hold a protest at the shooting range on May 14, Miller said.
Zalzman could not be reached for comment Thursday.
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