Rev. Jesse Jackson Takes Anti-Gun March, Rally to West Suburbs

Leader unites with Brady Campaign, Million Moms March

CHICAGO (July 7, 2007) -- Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, today expanded his efforts to curb gun violence by leading a march on a Melrose Park store that has been cited in a study for selling 712 guns linked to crimes.

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“If we can stop the violence in Chicago, we can change the rest of the world,” Rev. Jackson said. “We must end war at home, and stop weapons of mass destruction -- whether they are in Iraq, Afghanistan, Alabama, New York, or Illinois.”

Suburban Sporting Goods Ammo and Guns, 2306 W. North Ave., Melrose Park, abandoned its normal Saturday hours of operation, closing before hundreds of marchers arrived at its doors.

A 2004 study by the Americans for Gun Safety Foundation determined that the shop sold 712 firearms between 1996 and 2000 that were traced to crimes.

Rev. Jackson was joined in the march by Paul Helmke, president of Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; Jennifer Bishop of the Million Mom March; Rev. Gregory Livingston, senior pastor of Mandell United Methodist Church; Rev. Marshal Hatch, senior pastor of New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, and hundreds of concerned citizens.

“We can probably say we saved one life today because this store was closed,” Rev. Hatch said.

Earlier in the day, during this week’s internationally broadcast Saturday Morning Forum, Rev. Jackson called for summer jobs and other programs for young people who might otherwise end up at the wrong end of a gun.

Dr. Lynn Walker, president of Truman College, and Clyde El-Amin, president of Kennedy King College, told the Forum audience that attending a city college enables students to focus on a successful future and avoid gangs, drugs, and gun violence.

Helmke, whose organization pushes for stricter gun laws and penalties for manufacturers, said the flow of weapons into high-crime communities is a conscious and cynical business.

“One percent of dealers provide guns used in 60 percent of crimes,” he said. “With a credit card and a grudge, you can create an army.” Rev. Jackson vowed to continue marching from suburb to suburb until the laws are changed and children are safe. “Let’s stop the bullets before the bullets stop us,” he said.

Source: Rainbow PUSH Coalition