Chicago's Police Chief Not Surprised By Assault Rifle Theft
By Chuck Sudo in News on May 13, 2014 3:40PM
Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they do not believe the people behind last week’s theft of 13 assault rifles from a rail yard in Englewood may not have been targeting the guns specifically. Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is a bit more pragmatic.
Speaking at a Monday news conference announcing that Chicago Police have seized more than 2,100 illegal guns off the streets so far this year, McCarthy said rail yard thefts are “probably a more frequent occurrence than you would believe.”
McCarthy said Chicago Police are working with the ATF to find the guns and used the conference to call for stricter gun control laws.
“Safeguarding firearms is something that is incredibly important to prevent them from being stolen and hitting the streets,” said McCarthy.
The rifles stolen last week were Smith & Wesson AR-15 assault rifles. They come equipped with 30-round magazine clips capable of firing 5.56mm "NATO round" ammunition. McCarthy believes the guns “are right here in this community.”